|
|
|
Arizona Gov. Hobbs recently vetoed an anti-science bill against animal vaccines, and a group of 26 bipartisan Members of Congress are speaking out against copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs). (638 words, 3 minutes, 11 seconds) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arizona Gov. Hobbs defeats latest unscientific bill against animal vaccines |
|
|
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs recently vetoed an anti-science bill designed to discourage use of mRNA vaccines in animals—the latest misguided state-level effort against vaccines to protect livestock.
Why it matters: “Compared to traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines have several advantages that make them ideal for protecting people and farm animals,” a researcher explained. “These vaccines have been shown to reduce disease on farms, and it’s all but impossible for them to end up in your food.”
What’s happening: 11 states have proposed 34 such bills, driven by “general distrust of government” and “continued anger” about COVID-19 vaccine mandates,” said Gene Harrington, BIO Senior Director of State Government Relations for Agriculture and Environment, at the BIO Agriculture and Environment Summit last month.
The Arizona bill would have allowed food products derived from animals not treated with an mRNA vaccine to be labeled “mRNA Free.”
“Vaccines are an important tool for Arizona ranchers and farmers,” Gov. Hobbs wrote in announcing the veto. “This bill would pose a risk to the health and safety of Arizonans, as well as the vitality of cattle ranchers and farmers.”
BIO’s view: “Access to anti-viral innovations is critical to protecting animals and our food supply from potentially invasive threats,” said Harrington. “We’re thankful that, in vetoing this misguided legislation, Gov. Hobbs is ensuring that Arizona’s poultry and livestock producers will have the tools they need to prevent and treat viral diseases.” More Agriculture News: The New York Times: Pasteurized dairy foods free of live bird flu, federal tests confirm
“Additional testing of retail dairy products from across the country has turned up no signs of live bird flu virus, strengthening the consensus that pasteurization is protecting consumers from the threat, federal health and agriculture officials said at a news briefing on Wednesday.” |
|
|
|
Lawmakers say HHS should enforce rule protecting copay assistance |
|
|
Lawmakers seeking to help patients benefit from copay assistance say in a letter yesterday that appropriations legislation should require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enforce a rule preventing abuses by accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs).
How AAPs work: As the Arthritis Foundation has explained, when drug manufacturers give patients copay assistance, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) use AAPs “to prevent such assistance from counting towards patient cost-sharing, such as their deductible or annual out-of-pocket maximum.”
Yesterday’s letter: Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Nannette Barragan (D-CA) and dozens of their colleagues sent a letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education requesting an insertion into the HHS appropriations bill addressing AAPs: “The Committee directs CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to enforce the rule in the 2020 HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters requiring that cost sharing assistance paid by drug manufacturers on behalf of patients to reduce or eliminate their out-of-pocket costs shall be counted toward the annual limitation on cost sharing.”
What they’re saying: “AAPs are having a negative impact on patients’ physical and financial health,” says the letter. “An analysis by IQVIA revealed that across all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
