Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021

Hozzl · 2022-12-31T05:07:24Z

Explore the details of House Bill 4385 Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Health. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/31/2022, 5:07 AM

Summary of Bill HR 4385

Bill 117 HR 4385, also known as the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to ensure that patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer have access to affordable and effective medications.

One of the key provisions of the Cancer Drug Parity Act is that it would require insurance companies to provide coverage for orally administered cancer drugs on terms that are no less favorable than coverage for intravenously administered cancer drugs. This is important because many cancer patients rely on oral medications for their treatment, and these drugs can be expensive and difficult to access.

Additionally, the bill would prohibit insurance companies from imposing higher out-of-pocket costs for oral cancer drugs compared to intravenous drugs. This would help to ensure that cancer patients are not financially burdened by their treatment and can focus on their recovery. Overall, the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021 aims to level the playing field for cancer patients and ensure that they have access to the medications they need to fight their disease. By providing equal coverage for oral and intravenous cancer drugs, this bill seeks to make cancer treatment more affordable and accessible for all patients.

Congressional Summary of HR 4385

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021

This bill requires group health plans that cover anticancer medications administered by a health care provider to provide no less favorable cost sharing for patient-administered anticancer medications. This requirement applies to medications that are (1) approved by the Food and Drug Administration; (2) medically necessary for the cancer treatment; and (3) clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent site, and duration.

To comply with this requirement, plans may not, with respect to anticancer medications (1) change or replace benefits to increase out-of-pocket costs, (2) reclassify benefits to increase costs, or (3) apply more restrictive limitations to orally administered medications than to intravenously administered or injected medications.

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Current Status of Bill HR 4385

Bill HR 4385 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since July 9, 2021. Bill HR 4385 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on July 9, 2021. Bill HR 4385's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. as of July 9, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 4385

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Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 4385

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 4385

To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) to provide for cost sharing for oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than the cost sharing provided for anticancer medications administered by a health care provider.

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021