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TAKE ACTION ON COST OF DRUGS TO PEOPLE
09/03/10
TAKE ACTION ON COST OF DRUGS TO PEOPLE
I recently sent off my message to Gov. Patterson via the MS Take Action e-mail. I mentioned the issue to a neighbor who asked me to send her the info as she wanted to do the same. Then I thought maybe some of my readers should know about this too and would also like to take action.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Take Action Today: Voice your Opinion
Date:
Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:59:31 -0500 (CDT)
From:
National MS Society <Info@MSNYC.org>
Reply-To:
National MS Society <Info@MSNYC.org>
Organization:
National MS Society
Dear Eleanor:
Governor Patterson is considering a piece of legislation that is vital to people living with MS. This legislation helps keep expensive medications, like those used to treat MS, more affordable under private health insurance plans. Across the country, private health plans have started creating a new tier within their prescription drug formulary. With the new tier, they abandon the traditional arrangement that has plan members pay a fixed amount, like a $10, $25 or $50 co-pay for a prescription, regardless of the drug's actual cost. Instead, they are charging plan members a percentage of the cost of certain high-priced drugs, usually 20 to 33 percent, which amounts to between $600 ad $800 for the MS disease modifying drugs.
Fortunately, New York has not yet allowed plans that they regulate to adopt this system. However, that could change at any time. This legislation, A.8278B/S.5000B, introduced by Assembly Member Micah Kellner and Senator Tom Duane, and passed by both houses of the legislature earlier this year, would make it illegal for private health plans to create these specialty tiers.
Take Action Today. Ask Governor Patterson to sign this crucial piece of legislation into law.
For more information about this legislation, visit Assembly Member Kellner's website.
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-344-4867.
Our postal address is:
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
733 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
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ellie
2 comments
I noticed your site while browsing for other information and felt it important to share with you and your readers the following information. The NYS Dept. of Health has started a Program a few years ago called the NHTD Waiver Program. NHTD stands for Nursing home Transition and Diversion. This program, as its name implies, assists those with ongoing illness either remain at home or come out of nursing homes with the assistance of services set up by service coordinators. Very often, these people are those with diabetes, MS, COPD, etc. As those with MS illness exacerbates, the services we provide will prove to be very comforting and relieving for both the person and often the family. Please access the NYS Department of Health web site to learn more as this program is very helpful. It is also important to know that although it is a Medicaid funded program, those that believe they are not Medicaid qualified very often can BECOME qualified with their service coordinators guidance. 
That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here. 
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