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- Over 50 volunteers gathered at the Utah State Capitol for Cancer Action Day.
- Advocates supported bills HB52 and HB314, addressing medication costs and breast cancer diagnostics.
- The event highlighted personal stories, emphasizing the importance of patient-focused healthcare legislation.
SALT LAKE CITY — Over 50 volunteers gathered at the Utah Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday for Cancer Action Day, an event hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to encourage lawmakers to create policies that support the fight against cancer.
Advocates present at the event included health care workers, cancer survivors, those currently undergoing cancer treatment, and their loved ones.
"I've seen firsthand how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be," said Annalee Foster, a Utah Cancer Action lead volunteer, in a news release. Foster's brother and sister were both diagnosed with brain cancer.
"I'm advocating for patients and survivors in memory of my brother and in honor of my sister," she said. "I see the difference early detection and access to quality health care can make. I believe everyone deserves that, no matter where they're from or their background."
According to Brook Carlisle, Cancer Action Network regional government relations director, attendees were focused on showing support for two bills proposed this legislative session: HB52 and HB314.
HB52 was proposed as a solution to high medication prices, especially when meeting deductibles. The bill would require all forms of payment paid on behalf of the enrollee to count toward their deductible. This would restrict insurers from using co-payment adjustment programs, wherein patients use pharmaceutical manufacturer co-pay cards or coupons to purchase medication but it is not applied to their deductible.
"If you're using a co-pay card from a drug manufacturer," Carlisle said, "we're seeing an increased practice that the insurance company is taking that money, but the patient doesn't get credit for it, so they're still responsible for their entire deductible. … So, the goal of legislation is to require that the value of that card be treated just like any other (type of) co-pay."
The Cancer Action Network has been advocating for a policy prohibiting the use of co-pay adjustment programs for the last five legislative sessions. During this session, advocates expressed disappointment when they found out lawmakers refused to move the bill forward in its original form.
"I think what's unfortunately happened is the issue has really been framed as a struggle between the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies," said Carlisle. "What's getting lost in that is the patient's voice. … Our goal is really to make sure that legislators are listening to the patient voice, as they are the ones who would ultimately benefit from that legislation passing."
HB314 was proposed to modify breast cancer prevention measures by prohibiting health benefit plans from charging enrollees for follow-up examinations when they have an abnormal mammogram.
Under the Affordable Care Act, annual mammogram screenings are considered a preventive service and are required to be free under most insurance plans. But when a patient's mammogram comes back with abnormal results, they are typically required to receive further testing before being given a diagnosis. The bill would have prohibited insurance companies from charging co-pay fees for these diagnostic exams, the cost of which can deter patients from further medical care.
The bill failed to pass a House committee last month, but advocates still used Tuesday's event to voice its importance and their disappointment in lawmakers for not passing the legislation.
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 14,000 Utahns will be newly diagnosed with cancer in 2025. Cancer Action Day aims to connect those affected by cancer with lawmakers to show the impact of health care-related laws on constituents.
"We had patients share their stories that we had never met before, that we didn't know were directly impacted by this issue," said Carlisle. "That's the goal of Cancer Action Day: We're able to put faces with these issues and hope that it is impactful."
For more information, visit the American Cancer Association website.
