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Rep Ben Frederick
Rep. Frederick backs bipartisan plan to make health care more accessible, affordable
RELEASE|February 25, 2021

State Rep. Ben Frederick is backing a bipartisan plan announced this week to improve the quality of health care while making it more accessible and affordable for people in Michigan.

Frederick, of Owosso, said the plan focuses on three main goals: Lowering the cost of prescription medicine, increasing access to care and making every level of the health-care industry to step up its game and provide a higher standard of care.

“These reforms are long overdue,” Frederick said. “No one should lose sleep at night worrying about whether to pay their bills and put food on the table or pick up the medicine they need from the pharmacy.”

Among the proposed solutions are reforms to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin and hold drug companies accountable by requiring manufacturers to submit details on how their drugs are priced.

“So many people in our community who struggle with diabetes desperately need insulin, and many simply cannot afford it,” Frederick said. “I’m making it a priority to make sure no one has to ration their medicine or travel to Canada to purchase the life-saving drugs they need.”

Another piece of the plan ensures access to life-saving treatments like oral chemotherapy. Intravenous chemotherapy drugs are typically covered under a health plan’s medical benefit, but oral drugs are usually covered under a health plan’s pharmacy benefit, resulting in higher upfront costs for patients at the counter.

“Our plan makes sure patients in Michigan aren’t forced to pay a higher co-pay, deductible or co-insurance to access oral chemo, which is a less invasive therapy they can use in the comfort of their own homes,” Frederick said.

A full list of proposed reforms included in the plan is available here: https://gophouse.org/posts/house-bipartisan-health-care-plan.

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