FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tiffany Ryan, Chief of Staff
February 8, 2024 Tiffany.Ryan@asm.ca.gov
Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announces Legislation to Protect Chronic and Terminally Ill Patients Who Rely on Patient Assistance Programs to Afford Prescription Medications
Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) introduced legislation to protect patient access to prescription medications. AB 2180 would ensure that California health plans, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) count the value of copay assistance that is paid by a patient assistant program on behalf of a chronically or terminally ill patient, toward that patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum expenses.
“When insurers and PBMs do not count the value of copay assistance toward cost-sharing requirements, patients often experience a “copay surprise” at the pharmacy counter and may be forced to walk away without their needed medication because they cannot afford it,” said Assemblymember Weber. “My bill is intended to help Californians living with a chronic or terminal illness to afford their medication by requiring insurers and PBMs to count funds paid by patient assistance programs on behalf of the patient toward the patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket expenses.”
The bill will likely be heard in the Assembly Health Committee this Spring.