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House Adopts Bills To Limit Co-pays, Rein In Drug Manager Costs

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There is a bipartisan push in Lansing to use the power of state government to help control drug costs. The state House adopted a series of bills Wednesday – including measures to cap insulin co-pays at $50 dollars a month.

“Countless Michiganders, even those with health insurance, find medical care and prescription drugs out of reach due to excessive out-of-pocket costs,” said Representative Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). “Anything we can do to ease this burden is not only the right thing to do, it is our moral and professional obligation as servants of the people of Michigan.”

Representative Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) said a small number of companies control the cost of insulin.

“The status quo will continue to squeeze the wallets of tens of thousands of Michiganders every month of every year,” he said.

Among other things, the bills would also limit how much prescription drug managers can charge the businesses they work for. The bills were adopted with wide support from Republicans and Democrats and now go to the state Senate.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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