What follows below was published on May 10, 2023 in our local-weekly, community newspaper, the West Valley View. As regular readers to Dr. Kelley’s site, and to our Wednesday evening broadcast – many of you will agree with what the author has to say – but there are certain aspects that we will disagree with – one of which deals with her guidance and expectation for CON-gress to commit to what she is suggesting – and hoping for. BIG Pharma buys these elected officials off – hence – her wishes shall not come to pass. It is among our greatest concerns. ~ Ed.
Editor:
As an oncology nurse, I see patients every day who are dealing with various forms of cancer.
We should be doing everything we can to support medical research and drug development so that no family has to face heartbreaking decisions.
Recently, more price-setting policies have been included in President Biden’s health care priorities package. I worry that these additional measures could deprive patients of access to future cancer medicines and hope for a healthier, more comfortable future. Instead, I hope Congress focuses their efforts on one of the biggest headaches for many patients dealing with health issues – pharmacy benefit managers (PBM’s). Prescription drugs play a large role in oncology because many forms of cancer are treated with a combination of medications and care.
As PBM’s have grown in power and control over the medication marketplace, they have increased administrative red-tape and created extra, and unnecessary, financial burdens on many patients.
Patients (‘Victims’ – Editor) should focus on fighting their cancer – not fighting with PBM’s or insurance companies to receive the medications that keep them alive.
For the patients I see every day and for the millions of others around the country, I hope Congress focuses on reforms that make people’s lives and diagnosis a little less daunting and more accessible.
Taelor Martin
Litchfield Park, AZ
~ Related References for YOUR Consideration ~
America’s Broken Health Care: Diagnosis and Prescription
Sanders Grills Big Pharma CEOs Over Years of Deadly Price Gouging