A new report finds
that CT’s Medicaid program leads the US in access to new Hepatitis C
medications. Hepatitis C affects 3.5 million Americans and causes more deaths
than any other infectious disease. CT
Medicaid imposes no liver damage, sobriety or prescriber restrictions to HepC
drug access that are common in other states. The report was authored by the National Viral
Hepatitis Roundtable, which discloses funding by HepC drug manufacturers, and
the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at the Harvard Law School. New
HepC treatments are very effective, but costly
especially for public programs. However they can be cost effective in the long
term. Only CT earned an A+ while five states earned F grades. Nearby states
varied with MA earning an A, NY with a B-, NJ with a C-, and RI got a D+. The
report credits legal action by New Haven Legal Assistance and patient group advocacy
with CT’s enlightened policies.
