The EACH/PIC Coalition sent letters to all Virginia legislators urging them to adopt the revised version of S.B. 271/H.B. 483 submitted to the legislature by Governor Spanberger. The new bill would postpone the creation of a PDAB in the state until the “evidence of effectiveness” and adverse impact on patients can be fully evaluated.
The letter stated:
“EACH/PIC is pleased that Governor Spanberger has recognized that these are legitimate and substantive concerns that must first be studied before the provisions can go into effect, especially since the fiscal cost estimate for this legislation has increased so dramatically.”
“Therefore, EACH/PIC continues to urge Virginia lawmakers not to implement UPLs until the harm/benefit to patients can be fully evaluated and the following questions answered:
“1) How will patients see any savings from UPLs when health insurers can respond to price caps (and lower rebates) by removing those drugs from their formularies or moving them to higher cost-sharing tiers where patients pay higher copay/coinsurance?”
“2) What authority does the Virginia Insurance Commissioner have to modify cost-sharing/benefit designs used by state-regulated health plans in order to prevent cost-shifting for drugs with UPLs? (In most states, insurance regulators can only modify/reject premium increases).”