CPAT Connects with Health and P
atient Leaders to Discuss Improving Health Care
On June 9, the California Partnership for Access to Treatment (CPAT)
brought together l
eadin
g health care experts, policy makers, patient advocates and stakeholders
to dis
cuss two vitally important topics to the future of health care in California.
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Scott Suckow of Mental Health Systems and California Chronic Care Coalition in San Diego County; Emily Burke, Ph.D. of BioTech Primer; Shawn Joost of ALS Greater Sacramento Chapter; and Tony Maynard of the Hemophilia Council of California at CPAT's Sacramento event.
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The Sacramento event "From Molecule to Miracle: An Overview of the Drug Discovery and Development Process" engaged attendees on the challenges and victories in the drug discovery and development process.
Medical innovation experts and leading patient advocates discussed how this critical process leads to new treatment options for today's most prevalent diseases, bringing hope to those living with chronic diseases.
At the "The Affordable Care Act and You" seminar in Los Angeles, doctors and community advocates explored how health reform has expanded access to care for millions in California while discussing remaining obstacles.
The seminar addressed the need for continued expansion of Covered California, especially in underserved communities, to ensure patients can select the best plan and access the best treatment options.
A special thank you to all of the speakers, co-sponsors and attendees. Stay tuned for information about CPAT's next round of educational seminars - hope to see you there!
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California's Landmark Decision to Cap Patient
Out-of-Pocket Costs
 In May CPAT partner, the
California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC), and other leading health advocates urged Covered California to take critical steps toward increasing patient access to lifesaving specialty medications.
In response, Covered California established a $150 - $250 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs to patients enrolled in the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans, effective 2016. But there is still work to be done. Bronze plans, customarily the lowest-priced of the plans, will still charge up to $500 a month for each specialty drug after a $500 pharmacy deducible is met.
We applaud the CCCC and its unique alliance of consumer health organizations and provider groups for continuously inspiring the collaborative work of policy makers, industry leaders, providers and consumers to improve the health of patients who need it most.
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Who Benefits from the
340B Drug Discount Program?
340B is a drug discount program created to help vulnerable or uninsured patients gain access to needed prescription medicines.
 Congress created the 340B program in 1992 to help uninsured, indigent patients gain better access to prescription medicines. To help achieve this goal, the program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide discounts on outpatient prescription medicines to entities that serve high numbers of qualified patients. Over the years, however, Congress has expanded the types of entities eligible to participate in 340B, and enrollment has increased considerably.
By most accounts, the program's scale has far exceeded its original intent. Continued oversight of the 340B program is needed to ensure it is consistent with its statutory purpose. Improved transparency of the 340B program will also help advance the program's goals and ensure that resources are being used to reduce the costs of medicine for the patients that need it.
As this video illustrates, while clinics that receive government grants largely use the program to improve access to medicines for needy patients, not all 340B hospitals are good stewards of the program.
Read More
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Patient Profiles: Out-of-Pocket Cost Burdens
Access Better Coverage (ABC), an on
line educational resource for patients, provides facts to consider when choosing the best health plan for you and your family.
For example, health insurance exchange plans may begin requiring burdensome upfront costs to access needed medicines. And, in many cases, if a patient can't affor
d to pay out of pocket, they are often forced to go without.
Browse ABC's
Patient Profiles to read about how high out-of-pocket costs required by many exchange plans - even for someone getting additional cost-sharing subsidies - create major hurdles to accessing needed health care services and treatments.
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Medicare Part D:
Helping Patients Save
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Medicare Monday:
New Research Shows How Successfully Managing Diabetes Helps Patients and Part D Save
An important aspect of Medicare Part D is access to affordable prescription drug coverage allowing beneficiaries to get the medicines they need, take them as directed and avoid costly complications that can lead to hospitalization.
Beyond that, it is critical for patients to take medications as prescribed, otherwise known as adherence, in order to get the full benefit of the medication.
Improving medication adherence through programs like medication therapy management and other initiatives is important, not only to ensure patient health, but also to help reduce costs in the health care system overall.
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Alzheimer's Association - California Southland Chapter
The
Alzheimer's Association - California Southland Chapter strives to eliminate Alzheimer's disease by advancing lifesaving research, providing and enhancing care and support for all those affected, and reducing the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The Association offers diverse programs to assist patients and their families in coping with Alzheimer's and to educate the public about the disease. The chapter serves the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Kings, Mono and Tulare.
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Connect with CPAT's Social Media
Want to receive breaking CPAT and health care news?
Get connected to CPAT's social media channels!
Our
Facebook page and
Twitter feed provide valuable information about the rapidly-changing health care environment and what it means for California's communities.
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About CPAT News
The California Partnership for Access to Treatment (CPAT) is pleased to provide our latest issue of
CA Access News, a monthly e-news publication for our partners, members and supporters.
As part of CPAT's mission to connect people with the latest health news, this newsletter highlights state and national health care issues and trends.
CPAT's diverse network of advocacy organizations, community groups, health care providers and employers are committed to ensuring a healthy and productive California.
CPAT serves as a communications, education and resource network to keep its partners and the communities they serve informed about critical issues involving access to treatment in California.
Please visit
our website for more information about CPAT's free health education network.
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Health Access Resources
CPAT helps connect partners to information about the changing nature of health care as well as innovations in treatments:
Access Better Coverage Educational resource designed to help consumers understand the ABCs of health coverage and access to prescription medicines. From Hopes to Cures Stories about patients who have overcome rare, debilitating and chronic diseases. |
Calendar of CPAT
& Partner Events
See what events CPAT and our partners have coming up:
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
East LA Civic Center
4801 E. Third St.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Lupus LA
Get Lucky for Lupus LA
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Hollywood Avalon
1735 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Crew Rendezvous
Wednesday, Oct. 14
5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Joe & Vi Jacobs Center
404 Euclid Ave.
San Diego, CA 92114
Lupus LA
Patient Conference
Saturday, Oct. 17
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
UCLA Medical Center
Tamkin Auditorium
757 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
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Join CPAT
Joining CPAT is free! The benefits of becoming a CPAT partner include receiving our e-newsletter and invitations to participate in CPAT forums and events.
You will also have the opportunity to promote health events on the CPAT website. For more information about joining, please visit the
CPAT website.
Do you know a group who would be interested in joining CPAT? Please send your referrals to:
Northern California:
Yadira Beas
Southern California:
Jodi Epstein
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