From KOMO News
If you’re faced with rising prescription prices for medication you can’t go without, local patient advocates say this is the time to make your voice heard.
Washington state lawmakers are getting an earful about all kinds of proposed legislation this week as time runs to keep the bills alive.
One of the critical bills at stake will rein in what patient advocates call the out-of-control price increases for insulin – if lawmakers can keep it in play.
The proposed insulin cost-sharing bill (SB 6087) would cap insulin costs at $100 for a 30-day supply for patients with insurance plans that cover insulin drugs.
“The legislature has so many competing priorities,” she said. “There’s so many other bills out there of concern and issue. And we also have the pharmaceutical industry that is fighting these bills. So it’s really important for consumers not to stop raising the issue that affordability of prescription drugs needs to be a top priority for our state legislature.”
The pharmaceutical industry says it offers rebates and other assistance to people who need help paying for medication.
Drug companies opposing SB 6087 and similar drug price bills insist there are other factors and other industries- that play a role in rising drug prices.
People on both sides are making a final push now, because this is one of the bills that advocates say must get a final nod by a key committee this week in order to move on.
By Connie Thompson
