An Official Alert from the Alliance

VOTE “NO” ON SENATE BILLS 93 AND 99 THAT CREATE NEW PRESCRIPTION FEE

 

 

Families and employers need help to reduce their prescription drug healthcare costs…not new fees that add more costs! New legislation in Montgomery is headed in the wrong direction!

 

Two groups of pharmacy owners want to impose a brand new $10.64 fee on every single prescription dispensed to families in Alabama. This new, permanent, $10.64 fee would be sent directly into the pockets of pharmacy owners with no requirements for additional services or care.  This “forever fee” would be shoved down the drug supply pipeline and land squarely on Alabama families and their employers, costing millions of dollars each year, raising premiums and increasing the cost of living for families who need medicine. Senate Bill 93 and Senate Bill 99 have both been assigned to the Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee.

 

 

Here are the critical points to consider:

 

INCREASES COST ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES: The bill proposes a brand new $10.64 fee on every single prescription that comes across the counter, costing consumers millions of dollars annually.  

 

ADDS MILLIONS IN COST TO EMPLOYEE HEALTHCARE PLANS: Employer-provided prescription drug coverage plans will be hit with millions in new costs, forcing higher premiums and placing coverage at risk. Small businesses are not exempted, and large employers are directly targeted.

 

IGNORES THE CORE COST ISSUE: These bills ignore the real problem driving health care costs – the skyrocketing prices set by drug manufacturers -- and choose to simply pay pharmacy owners more with no requirements to expand or improve patient care.

 

PREEMPTS PRESIDENT TRUMPS COMMITMENT TO REDUCE COSTS:  President Trump has committed to reducing drug costs across America to “new, affordable levels.” These Alabama bills just throw money at the problem without providing long-term solutions.

 

 

These bills are NOT a solution. They are a costly burden that will flow directly down to Alabamians, their families, and employers.  

 

We at AAHC are committed to fighting against policies that raise the cost, access, and availability of quality healthcare provided through employer benefit plans.