On May 13, PIPC submitted a comment letter to the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) on the Board's ongoing Cost Review Study process.
PIPC's comments come on the heels of additional correspondence to the PDAB urging the Board to reject the use of discriminatory metrics such as quality-adjusted-life-years (QALY) and others that create barriers to access for patients and people with disabilities. The letter also notes that, pursuant to the recently-finalized rules governing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, entities that receive federal financial assistance, including state Medicaid programs, are subject to requirements that bar the use of these discriminatory value assessments.
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ rule represents a critical step forward to protecting patients and people with disabilities and sends a strong message that we need better solutions for U.S. decision-making that don’t rely on the biased, outdated standards historically used by payers," wrote PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho. "...We would encourage the Board to engage directly with patients and people with disabilities to learn about their real-world experiences, consistent with recommendations from experts in the patient and disability communities."
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ rule represents a critical step forward to protecting patients and people with disabilities and sends a strong message that we need better solutions for U.S. decision-making that don’t rely on the biased, outdated standards historically used by payers," wrote PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho. "...We would encourage the Board to engage directly with patients and people with disabilities to learn about their real-world experiences, consistent with recommendations from experts in the patient and disability communities."
| pipc_maryland_pdab_2024.pdf |
