Bill aimed at exposing high drug prices killed in House committee

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March 11, 2016, 8:39 am

A transparency bill targeting runaway drug prices that had widespread and bipartisan support in both chambers of the Colorado Legislature was killed 9-4 by the House Committee on Health, Insurance and Environment on Thursday.

high cost of prescription drugsThe bill was one of 11 such measures around the country drafted in response to the skyrocketing costs of pharmaceuticals. Veteran healthcare reporter Cara DeGette wrote about those out-of-control drug prices for the Rocky Mountain Post on Thursday, and RMP also delved into the topic last month.

Here’s what the liberal-leaning lobby group the Colorado Center on Law and Policy wrote Friday about Thursday’s legislative action:

“HB 1102, which would have required prescription drug manufacturers to provide data on cost components of expensive drugs, with a report going back to the state legislature, was killed by the House Committee on Health, Insurance and Environment on Thursday.

“The legislation attempted to shed light on one of the biggest drivers of health care costs. CCLP worked on amendments that would have focused the discussion on costs incurred by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, but the amendment failed to pass and the committee rejected the bill by a vote of 9-4.

“Despite HB 1102’s failure, CCLP will continue to encourage policymakers and health care stakeholders to look at high prescription costs and improve transparency with the goal of improving the access and affordability of health care in Colorado.”

With healthcare costs across the Rocky Mountain West completely out of control, it’s a also a topic the Rocky Mountain Post will continue to follow.

 

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RMP Staff

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