The EACH/PIC Coalition submitted comments to the Nevada Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee opposing AB 259 that would cap reimbursement rates at the “maximum fair price” rates negotiated in the federal Medicare program.
The letter stated:
“We share with you the goals of lowering patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and ensuring all Nevadans can access the medications they need to maintain their health. However, we believe that capping prices at negotiated Medicare payment levels is ineffective at lowering patient costs for prescription drugs and could ultimately cause more harm by creating added barriers between patients and their medically necessary treatment. Therefore, we urge you to oppose this legislation.”
MFPs were determined based on costs under the Medicare program, which are not reflective of the very different and diverse patient populations served by commercial and state health plans in Nevada.
“Furthermore, applying the Medicare MFP does not guarantee patients will realize any or all of the savings from the lower list price. There is no mechanism for the Nevada Division of Insurance to ensure that state-regulated plans alter their cost-sharing designs for drug products with MFPs nor does the Division have the authority to regulate large-group and self-funded plans governed by federal ERISA law (as A.B. 259 fails to clarify).”