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Editor, News-Register:
I think we can all agree insurance coverage should not act as a barrier to care, and that the very last thing insurers should be doing is gaming the healthcare system to shift costs back onto patients.
Unfortunately, over the last several years that is exactly what has been happening. While few realized this until recently, pharmaceutical manufacturers more often than not issue big rebates and discounts for prescription drugs in order to help drive down costs for patients at the pharmacy.
However, these rebates and discounts are rarely, if ever, actually shared with patients at the point of sale because middlemen know as pharmacy benefit mangers gobble up these savings to pad their bottom line.
The good news is that West Virginia lawmakers took action and passed legislation that will hold pharmacy benefit mangers accountable for their anti-patient practices. Now, this year, the law is in full effect.
By passing a "share the savings" bill, West Virginia became the first state in the U.S. to mandate discounts and rebates go directly to the consumer -- a move that is already paying dividends for patients like me who had their deductible reset at the start of the year.
I appreciate Gov. Justice and the House of Delegates focusing on legislation that actually makes a difference at the pharmacy counter, as it certainly is making a difference in my life.
Jennifer Stern
Martins Ferry