THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 5 Sen. Lewis supports passage of bill to make prescription drugs more affordable O n February 10, State Senator Jason Lewis joined his Senate colleagues in a bipartisan vote to pass An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency (PACT Act). This comprehensive pharmaceutical legislation is intended to address the rapidly increasing cost of prescription drugs and to ensure life-saving medications are affordable, fairly priced and accessible for all patients who need them.On February 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives referred the PACT Act to its Committee on Ways and Means. “Working to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare has been a top priority for me because I believe healthcare should be a basic human right,” said Lewis. “While the pharmaceutical and biotech industries are very important to the Massachusetts economy, we also have to ensure that life-saving drugs, like insulin for example, are aff ordable and accessible, and the PACT Act includes numerous strategies to make this happen.” The bill off ers immediate price relief for insulin, a life-sustaining daily drug for the one in 10 Massachusetts residents living with diabetes, without which they face substantial health risks and complications. Insulin prices have recently risen sharply, resulting in out-of-pocket costs that can reach $1,000 or more per year for patients in high-deductible plans or who are underinsured. This fi nancial burden often forces patients to engage in the dangerous practice of severely limiting or forgoing the use of insulin. To address this problem, the PACT Act limits out-of-pocket spending on insulin by eliminating deductibles and coinsurance, and permanently capping co-pays at $25 for each 30-day supply. The bill includes many other provisions designed to make prescription drugs more aff ordable for patients and to help control rising healthcare costs: • Ensures patients pay the lowest possible price at the pharmacy • Ensures pharmacy choice for patients • Creates a prescription drug cost assistance trust fund • Creates a process for the state Health Policy Commission to identify and address unreasonably highly priced drugs and excessive price increases • Requires pharmacy benefi t managers to be licensed by the state Division of Insurance • Requires drug price notifi - cation procedures for manufacturers • Requires greater state oversight of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefi t managers “Our HelpLine takes calls from people across the state who can’t aff ord their medications. Individuals and families in Massachusetts have been struggling for far too long to access and aff ord the prescriptions they need, and this legislation provides critical fi nancial relief at a pivotal time,” said Health Care For All Executive Director Amy Rosenthal. “By passing this bill today, Senators took an important step to rein in excessive drug costs, bringing oversight of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefi t managers in line with other health care industries in the state.” The Senate has been a leader in pursuing policies that improve access to quality, aff ordable healthcare for Massachusetts residents, including expanding telehealth, strengthening mental health and addiction treatment and tackling high drug costs. MPR ENGINEERING CO. AFFORDABLE & COST EFFECTIVE Civil Engineering * Certified Plot Plans Surveying * Boundaries * Flood Zones Call for FREE Estimate: (781) 629-2891 ~ LICENSED & INSURED~ Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Paul at (617) 387-5457 for details. WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $1,650 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $1,650 Household of 1 = $40,951 Household of 2 = $53,551 Household of 3 = $66,151 Household of 4 = $78,751 www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2022 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284 WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. Tully named to Dean’s List at UMass Lowell L OWELL – Carson Tully of Malden was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for the 2021 fall semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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