Matsui, Higgins, Guthrie, Bilirakis, Announce Legislation to Ensure Drug Parity

Oral chemotherapy is becoming a common standard of care for patients with many types of cancer, and more treatments are on the way, as oral chemo represents approximately 35% of the oncology development pipeline. Most of these medications are irreplaceable as no alternative intravenous/injectable agents exist, leaving patients with the burden of paying astronomical out-of-pocket costs or forgoing treatment. However, every health insurance plan currently covers different types of cancer treatments, which can leave cancer patients to make difficult decisions on what type of care they will receive based on the outdated guidelines of their health insurance policy, rather than the advice of their doctor.

“Insurance companies shouldn’t be allowed to pick and choose what kind of treatment a cancer patient should receive – that should be left up to the medical professionals,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “That’s why this bipartisan, bicameral legislation is so critical, and Congress must pass this bill to address the disparity in cancer coverage. It’s time to put the decisions back in the hands of doctors and patients.”

Read press release here