I write to request your support for the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act (H.R. 830/S. 1375) that requires health plans to count the value of copay assistance programs towards patients' deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. Insurance companies have created new “co-pay accumulator adjustment programs” which allow patients to access and pay for high-cost prescription drugs but do not apply their value toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket costs. This is particularly concerning when there is no generic alternative for medications, which is the case for most drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. In these cases, failing to count co-pay coupons toward a patient’s deductible can cost patients thousands of dollars each year, possibly putting a severe financial burden of covering these unexpected costs or patients not using their needed medications. All Americans, regardless of financial status or circumstance, should be able to access life-saving care and medication, and a patient’s insurance should not stand in the way of their access to care. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope this legislation becomes law to improve health care accessibility and affordability.

I write to request your support for the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act (H.R. 830/S. 1375) that requires health plans to count the value of copay assistance programs towards patients' deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. Insurance companies have created “co-pay accumulator adjustment programs” which allow patients to access and pay for high-cost prescription drugs but do not apply their value toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket costs. This is particularly concerning when there is no generic alternative for medications, which is the case for most drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. In these cases, failing to count co-pay coupons toward a patient’s deductible can cost patients thousands of dollars each year, possibly putting a severe financial burden of covering these unexpected costs or patients not using their needed medications. All Americans, regardless of financial status or circumstance, should be able to access life-saving care and medication, and a patient’s health insurance should not stand in the way of their access to care. Thank you for your consideration. I hope this legislation becomes law to improve health care accessibility and affordability.

I write to request your support for the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act (H.R. 830/S. 1375) that would require health plans to count the value of copay assistance programs towards patients' deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. Insurance companies have created new “co-pay accumulator adjustment programs” which allow patients to access and pay for high-cost prescription drugs but do not apply their value toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket costs. This is concerning when there is no generic alternative for medications, which is the case for most drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. In these cases, failing to count co-pay coupons toward a patient’s deductible can cost patients thousands of dollars each year, possibly putting a severe financial burden of covering these unexpected costs or patients not using their needed medications. All Americans, regardless of financial status or circumstance, should be able to access life-saving care and medication, and a patient’s insurance should not stand in the way of their access to care. Thank you for your consideration. I hope this legislation becomes law to improve the accessibility and affordability of health care.