Health

Advocates to State Senate: Diabetes Patients Can’t Afford to Wait on “Life-Saving” Bill

Published

4 years ago

August 7, 2020

California Black Media

A group of doctors, some African American healthcare advocates as well as Californians living with diabetes are asking the state Senate to take up — and quickly vote on — an “urgent” public health bill that lawmakers have put on ice.

If passed, the legislation would place a $50 cap on monthly copayments insurers require diabetic patients to cover when buying their insulin treatments.

Dr. Bill Releford, a podiatrist in Inglewood who specializes in helping diabetics with circulation problems thereby reducing amputation rates, shared the story of Jamal M.

Every day, Jamal M. is faced with tending to the hard-to-heal lesion so that his foot will not have to be cut off while managing the underlying medical condition he has learned to live with despite the challenges. But to stay on top of them, Releford says, Jamal M. has to keep up with costly co-payments for doses of the life-saving insulin that his doctor prescribes.

Unfortunately, Jamal M. can’t afford his share of the cost for his insulin, which falls between $400 to $500 per month.

“Jamal M. was splitting his insulin dosages in half” in an attempt to curb the medical cost to purchase the synthetic hormone that regulates his blood sugar, Releford told California Black Media.

“It really wasn’t working,” Releford explained.

To give a financial lifeline to Californians like Jamal M. — people seemingly caught between dollars and a deadly disease — state Assemblyman Adrian Nazarian (D-Van Nuys) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 2203 in February.

“I know that this uncertain time during COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for us, and many Californians are struggling to survive,” Nazarian said. “My bill AB 2203 aims to help Californians with diabetes by lowering the out-of-pocket costs for insulin so they can stick to their treatment plan outlined by their physician.”

The Assembly Health and Appropriations committees voted separately to move the legislation forward with a combined 25-0 yes vote earlier this year. And although the full Assembly voted June 8 to pass the bill with 64-4, the Senate Health committee, which Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) chairs, has not yet considered the bill that diabetes advocates have labeled “life-and-death” legislation.

The average annual cost per diabetes patient for insulin was $5,705 in 2016, reports SingleCare, an online company that offers pharmacy discounts to registered members. Currently, one vial of insulin could cost up to $250.

Releford, like other African American advocates, says, because diabetes is a co-morbidity that can cause death among COVID-19 patients, keeping his patients healthy is more critical right now than ever.

Diabetes-related coronavirus complications account for over 30% of the current hospitalizations for patients 35 and older in California. As of early June, the blood-sugar disorder was also the second leading contributing cause of COVID-19 deaths, according to a UCLA study. The first, at that time, was hypertension. 

“According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes is a significant underlying medical condition that increases risk of serious COVID-19 complications,” the study reads. 

For Diabetes patients, the UCLA study reports that COVID-19 fatalities are double their percentage of the general population. 

California Black Media (CBM) contacted Dr. Pan’s office to inquire why the Senate has not yet scheduled a hearing for AB 2203.

Shannan Velayas, a spokesperson for Dr. Pan, who is a practicing pediatrician, said there are some “policy issues” with AB 2203 that still need to be resolved.

“Dr. Pan has worked to improve chronic disease management, including diabetes and access to medication throughout his entire career,” Velayas wrote to CBM in an email. “Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, we are unable to properly vet this bill at this current time for all of its potential issues, including those raised by the Administration in the context of both existing law and other proposals to improve access to insulin for people with diabetes.”

On Monday, July 27, the Dept. of Managed Health Care (DMHC) sent a letter to Nazarian stating that it “regrets to inform you that it (DMHC) has taken an ‘Oppose Unless Amended position’ on AB 2203.”

“Existing law already places comprehensive cost-sharing limits on all outpatient prescription drugs, and the DMHC believes that any changes to cost-sharing should be considered holistically among all prescription drugs. The DMHC requests removing the cost-sharing limit,” Mary Watanabe, DMHC’s acting director said in the letter to Nazarian.

The Association of California Life (ACL), the California Association of Health Plans (CAH) and several health insurance companies have all stated their opposition to AB 2203.

“It sets a precedent that treats one class of drugs differently as it creates a special category for insulin,” those groups wrote in a joint statement. “This inevitably will increase the cost of premiums for all insureds and enrollees by inappropriately socializing the cost of these drugs against all rate payers.”

If passed by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Newsom, AB 2203 would apply to anyone with an individual, group, or non-employer insurance plan. Besides the $50 cap on the copay, AB 2203 would authorize the California Attorney General to investigate the pricing of insulin to ensure protection for consumers.

Aldon Thomas Stiles contributed to the reporting for this article.

Antonio Ray Harvey

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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California Black Media

Gen. Election Update: Tracking Your Votes on Ballot Propositions — and What They Mean for Our Communities

In the Nov. 5 General Election, Californians cast their votes on ten propositions addressing issues from education and climate funding to prison labor and the minimum wage.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media

In the Nov. 5 General Election, Californians cast their votes on ten propositions addressing issues from education and climate funding to prison labor and the minimum wage.

Below is a breakdown of the propositions, their potential impact and an update on how we voted on them.

Likely to Pass:

Proposition 2: Bonds for Public School and College Facilities
With 56.7% support, Prop 2 is on track to pass. This measure would allocate $10 billion to repair and upgrade K-12 and community college facilities, especially in under-resourced schools. For students, this funding could lead to safer and more supportive learning environments.

Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage
Prop 3 currently has 61.4% support and is likely to pass. This measure aims to amend California’s constitution to affirm marriage rights for all. For LGBTQ+ individuals in our communities, this is a powerful affirmation of equality and inclusion.

Proposition 4: Bonds for Water, Wildfire, and Climate Risks
Currently passing with 57.8%, Prop 4 is on track to deliver $10 billion for projects that address water quality, wildfire prevention, and climate resilience. This could have a significant impact on communities that face the harshest effects of climate change.

Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Revenues
Prop 34 is narrowly passing with 51.4% support, indicating that it may succeed. The measure would require specific healthcare providers to use 98% of revenue from federal drug discount programs on direct patient care. This could improve healthcare access for low-income residents.

Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal
With 66.8% of voters in favor, Prop 35 is on course to pass, securing permanent funding for Medi-Cal, California’s low-income healthcare program. For many in our communities who depend on Medi-Cal, this measure promises stability and continued access to essential healthcare services.

Proposition 36: Increased Sentencing for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes
With strong support at 70.5%, Prop 36 is poised to pass, increasing penalties for specific theft and drug offenses. This measure would partially roll back sentence reductions established by Prop 47, sparking concerns about potential increases in incarceration rates.

Likely to Fail:

Proposition 5: Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure
With 56.4% of voters opposed, Prop 5 is likely to fail. The measure aimed to reduce the voting threshold for local bonds from two-thirds to 55%, making it easier to fund affordable housing. Without it, local governments will continue to face higher approval requirements, potentially slowing progress on affordable housing solutions.

Proposition 6: Eliminates Forcing Inmates to Work
Currently failing with 54.9% opposed, Prop 6 is expected to be defeated. This measure would have ended involuntary labor for incarcerated individuals, a practice critics argue disproportionately affects Black inmates. It’s likely failure means the prison labor system will remain unchanged.

Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage
With 52.1% of voters opposing it, Prop 32 appears likely to fail. This measure would have raised the minimum wage to $18 an hour. While proponents argued it would provide greater financial stability for low-wage workers.

Proposition 33: Local Government Residential Rent Control
With 61.9% voting “no,” Prop 33 is expected to fail, meaning that local governments won’t gain expanded authority to enact rent control. Real estate groups argued that this measure could hinder housing development. Its failure means that current rent control laws will remain in place, leaving fewer protections for renters.

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California Black Media

Covered California Open Enrollment Began Nov. 1

Open enrollment for Covered California kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024, offering individuals, families, and businesses a chance to secure quality, affordable health insurance for the upcoming year. This annual enrollment period allows California residents to choose from a variety of health plans that meet their specific needs. Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums. The program features insurance plans from leading providers, ensuring access to essential health services such as doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health services.

This year, notable updates include expanded financial assistance, which increases the support available for eligible households to help offset monthly costs. Additionally, consumers will find greater plan flexibility, allowing them to select options that fit their lifestyles and budgets. Access to no-cost preventive services — like vaccinations, screenings, and annual check-ups — remains a priority.

Key enrollment deadlines are set as follows:

The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025.
Those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2024, will have their coverage start on Jan. 1, 2025.

To facilitate enrollment, applicants can fill out an inquiry form on the Covered California website, reach out to Certified Enrollment Counselors, or contact Covered California directly at (888) 234-5366 or via email at GetCovered@cbhn.info.

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) collaborates with Covered California to advocate for health equity, focusing on underserved communities, including unemployed and gig workers. CBHN’s certified enrollers engage in outreach and onsite signups to help individuals access affordable healthcare options.