House OKs bill sponsored by Rep. McGaw requiring
no-cost EpiPen coverage

 

STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw to require health insurers in Rhode Island to cover the full cost of life-saving epinephrine injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen.

The legislation (2023-H 5176A), which now goes to the Senate,  is aimed at preventing costs from being an obstacle to those whose lives depend on the device, which is used to manage severe symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction such as throat swelling or difficulty breathing.

“Epinephrine is an absolute necessity for anyone with a serious allergy that could result in anaphylaxis, including many children. The skyrocketing costs of these devices is an outrage and needs to be addressed, but in the meantime, it must not be allowed to discourage or prevent people from filling their prescription. Having epinephrine available quite literally makes the difference between life and death for a person experiencing anaphylaxis, so costs should not stand in the way for anyone,” said Representative McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton), who works as a consultant pharmacist serving the long-term care community.

Mylan, the manufacturer of the brand-name Epi-Pen, raised its price by about 500 percent between 2009 and 2016, resulting in average prices of more than $600 per twin pack today. Even patients with prescription coverage may be saddled with high cost-sharing rates for the drug. In recent years, generic versions of the device have been developed, but they still cost $300 or more per twin pack.

The single-use injectors expire 18 months from when they are manufactured, so patients need to purchase new ones frequently regardless of whether they are ever used. Patients also need to have one available at all times, so they may need to keep several at once. Many of those at risk for anaphylaxis are children, who may be exposed to their allergen at school or through other children. 

Representative McGaw’s legislation would require private and nonprofit insurers and HMOs that provide prescription coverage to provide coverage for at least one twin pack per year of at least one type of epinephrine auto-injector and cartridges, without copayments or deductibles, for all policies issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2025.

 

 

A former "Watergate" prosecutor says she believes former President Trump is "toast" as the investigation of his handling of classified documents moves forward. Jill Wine-Banks told MSNBC the case against Trump is strong as special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly nearing the end of his investigation. Her comments come amid reports the federal grand jury in the case is expected to meet this week.        Former Vice President Mike Pence is officially running for president in 2024. Pence filed the paperwork to enter the race today, joining a growing field of candidates vying for the Republican nomination. Pence has spent the last several months making frequent trips to early primary states like South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa.        The mother of a six-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia is facing federal charges. Deja Taylor is charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Court documents allege she claimed to not being "an unlawful user" of any illegal drug when purchasing a handgun last year even though she was a marijuana use.        Police are investigating the deaths of six women all found in the same area of Oregon in the last three months. All six bodies were found within one-hundred miles of each other in secluded areas of the woods across the Portland region. The deaths are being investigated as suspicious but police haven't determined whether all the women were homicide victims.        The victims of a private jet that crashed in Virginia yesterday were residents of New York. John Rumpelowns, who owns the jet, says his daughter, two-year-old granddaughter, her nanny and the pilot were heading back to East Hampton after a visiting him in North Carolina. The FAA says the small plane bound for MacArthur Airport flew into unauthorized airspace over Washington and crashed in the mountains, killing all four people on board.        A #BOYCOTTNASCAR hashtag reportedly is picking up speed after the company tweeted and an image showing support for the LGBTQ community. The majority of comments from the millions of people who he commented say they will no longer support the racing organization. But Stephen Rhodes, the first openly gay NASCAR driver, tells Queen City News, "For all the fans that are leaving, I guarantee that there is just as many coming."