The Cancer Support Community supports S.B. 2039, the Cancer Drug Parity Act, to end out-of-pocket cost disparities for orally administered cancer drug treatments under federally regulated group health plans. This legislation ensures that any health plan covering cancer care offers patients the same level of cost-sharing for all forms of medicine, creating equitable access.
Currently, most insurance companies categorize intravenous (IV) anticancer treatments under patients’ medical benefit, while oral treatments are covered under patients’ prescription drug benefit, often creating much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral medications. This bill would help remove financial barriers to care and ensure patients get the appropriate prescribed treatment at the right time and in the appropriate manner for their lifestyle.
