HB2078, or the Oral Parity Bill, is currently awaiting a vote by the Arizona State Senate. Sponsored by Representative Heather Carter, HB2078 provides equal coverage, deductible, and coinsurance amounts for the same cancer treatment medication whether it is administered orally, self-injected, or administered intravenously by a health care professional. Currently, cancer treatment medication that is self-administered is often covered by prescription drug-benefits rather than medical plans, which would cover more of the costs. A coalition of 30 different health organizations, led by the Arizona Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and coordinated by B3 Strategies through Celgene, is leading the efforts to ensure the legislation is passed. For more information, please read the article by Ken Alltucker with the Arizona Republic, which addresses more of the details of HB2078 and the people it aims to help.
