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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Burns |
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House Insurance Committee holds hearing on Burns' oncology parity bill
HARRISBURG, March 18 – The state House Insurance Committee today held a hearing today on legislation (H.B. 1865) introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, that would ensure parity in health-care coverage for cancer patients.
"This bill is necessary to ensure that those suffering with cancer receive the absolute best quality of care possible," Burns said. "I think it was beneficial for members of the Insurance Committee to hear firsthand from cancer patients who will be directly affected by this type of legislation."
The legislation would require health-insurance providers that cover intravenous cancer chemotherapy to equally cover oral chemotherapy treatment. The pill form of chemotherapy is known to cause fewer side effects and improve patient quality of life.
Under the bill, co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance provisions and maximum out-of-pocket limits would have to be equal for all patients without regard to how the chemotherapy is administered. The bill would apply to all health insurance policies offered, issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2010.
Individuals testifying at the hearing held at Hershey Medical Center included officials from the Hershey Medical Center, government representatives on health-care reform, representatives from insurance providers, oncology alliance organizations and a cancer survivor.
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