(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the package of legislative proposals he is presenting to the Connecticut General Assembly for consideration this session includes comprehensive reforms to improve healthcare affordability and mitigate out-of-pocket costs for patients, particularly those related to prescription drugs.
“Families across America are simply paying too much for essential prescription drugs, and these rising costs make accessing health coverage a barrier for far too many people,” Governor Lamont said. “I am urging the state legislature to make lowering prescription drug costs a priority this session. The proposals I’ve presented to them contain wide-ranging steps to lower prescription drug costs and put limits on future price increases.”
Recently, through an initiative launched between the Lamont administration and Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Connecticut joined the ArrayRx prescription drug discount card program, which enables all residents in Connecticut to receive a discount card at no cost that gives them discounts at the pharmacy on certain medications. Working in collaboration with Comptroller Scanlon, Governor Lamont is proposing to expand the use of this card in Connecticut, enabling consumers to receive credit for “cash” prescription drug purchases toward their annual deductible if they paid a lower price than they would have under their insurance coverage.
“Skyrocketing drug prices are forcing too many people into impossible choices, like skipping doses or cutting pills in half,” Comptroller Scanlon said. “That’s just wrong, and it must end. If drug makers and pharmacy benefit managers won’t lower prices for the people of our state, we will. I am proud to be working with Governor Lamont on innovative solutions that will rein in costs and improve healthcare affordability in Connecticut.”
“It’s nearly impossible for someone to follow their healthcare provider’s treatment plan if they can’t afford the out-of-pocket cost for the prescriptions they need,” Dr. Deidre Gifford, commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy and Governor Lamont’s senior advisor for health and human services, said. “This proposal focuses on making prescription drugs more affordable for Connecticut residents. It’s good healthcare and it’s good public policy.
Governor Lamont’s proposal, House Bill 6870 (An Act Addressing Patients’ Prescription Drug Costs), contains the following actions:
- Permits patients to claim low-cost drug purchases toward deductibles: Establishes a patient’s right to receive credit for out-of-pocket and out-of-network prescription drug expenses toward their annual deductible if they paid a lower price than they would have at an in-network pharmacy with insurance.
- Limits annual generic drug price increases to inflation: Limits price increases for generic and off-patent drugs to the annual rate of inflation and authorizing the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services to levy a civil penalty on manufacturers that raise prices above that threshold. By focusing on generic drugs and those that drugs that are coming off patent, Connecticut can respect and encourage innovation yet help clamp down on unfair price spikes for many commonly used drugs.
- Establishes a pathway for safe Canadian prescription drug importation: Requires the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to assess feasibility of establishing a Canadian prescription drug importation program within Connecticut after reviewing quality, safety, and operational needs.
**Download: Fact sheet on Governor Lamont's proposed legislation (House Bill 6870)