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House Democrats propose plan to lower cost of prescription drugs

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You shouldn’t have to choose between paying for your medication or your mortgage. That’s the message of some Democrats in the state House. They’ve introduced a plan they’re calling HOPE – or Health Over Profits for Everyone.

Some House Democrats have introduced bills aimed at making medical care more affordable.

The bills in the package would do things like cap insurance co-pays for primary care and behavioral health providers at five dollars. They would also require insurance companies to pay in full for medically necessary epinephrine – which is used for allergic reactions.

Democratic Representative Jon Hoadley is a bill sponsor.

“At the end of the day, this is about making sure that we’re putting Michigan health and our safety over profits.”

Supporters say that everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care. If passed, insurance companies would have a cap of five dollars for co-pays for primary care and behavioral health providers. And the state Attorney General would have to investigate the price of insulin and make recommendations for consumer protections.

Democratic Representative Kyra Bolden is also a bill sponsor.

She says, “For too many Michiganders, the high cost of life saving medications and doctors visits make them luxuries, just reserved for a few that can afford them.”

Other bills in the package would do things like cap insurance co-pays at 100-dollars for every 30 day supply of insulin. And allow companies to import FDA approved drugs from Canada.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R
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