Rep. McKinley Addresses Health Care Patient Advocate Foundation

Statement

Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) was the keynote speaker for the Patient Advocate Foundation Conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, June 21. The topic of his remarks dealt with specialty and biologic drugs.

"It's important that patients have the access to much needed and life-saving treatments," said Rep. McKinley. "I was honored to speak to this gathering of professionals who are constantly on the front line of vital care and support."

The Conference, held at the Washington Court Hotel, addressed the priorities of the Foundation including The Patients Access to Treatment Act (H.R. 4209) which Rep. McKinley is the sponsor. Attendees came from 39 states around the country.

"Today, millions of Americans suffer from chronic and disabling diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to multiple sclerosis and would benefit from access to specialty and biologic drugs," said Rep. McKinley. "Due to costs, many of these patients suffering from chronic conditions either underutilize the treatments or go without treatments at all due to costs. This legislation is the first step toward equality in patient access to treatment."

H.R. 4209 would end the discrimination against specialty and biologic drugs by requiring commercial health insurers to impose the same co-payment obligations as they already do for other medications.

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