08 LC 33
2536
House
Resolution 1557
By:
Representatives Smyre of the
132nd,
Jackson of the
161st,
Hugley of the
133rd,
Randall of the
138th,
and Williams of the
165th
A
RESOLUTION
Encouraging
the free flow of information between physicians and patients about whether
switching medication will provide the same or a superior result between name
brand, if available, and generic medication; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
FDA-approved generics can be safe and effective and often represent an
opportunity for much needed health care cost savings, especially to low-income
patients with minimal to no insurance; and
WHEREAS,
generic brand medicines do not always meet the need for the individual patient,
and patient cases must be handled on a case-by-case basis; and
WHEREAS,
patients should receive the best health care, regardless of race or income
level, and should be prescribed medication that will provide optimal results;
and
WHEREAS,
the patient-health practitioner relationship relies on the confidential, honest,
and transparent exchange of information; and
WHEREAS,
physicians or health practitioners who receive financial incentives to prescribe
certain medications strain that relationship when patients are not informed of
practitioners´ financial incentives; and
WHEREAS,
the longevity, quality of life, and continued health of all people in this
society depend on quality health care and prescription medicines;
and
WHEREAS,
the death rate due to cardiovascular disease among African Americans is highest
among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, and 40 percent of
African American adult men and women have some form of heart disease;
and
WHEREAS,
the cost of health care and prescription medicines may cause access issues for
individuals of limited means; and
WHEREAS,
it is in the public´s interest for states to exercise their powers to
provide their citizens with means and methods of improving access to health care
and prescription medicines; and
WHEREAS,
hundreds of patient assistance programs are currently offered by drug
manufacturers and other private and public programs to provide help to
low-income patients who lack prescription drug coverage.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body encourage physicians to take steps to ensure transparency when
physicians or other health practitioners receive financial compensation for
clinical decisions.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body support the complete
disclosure of information on all drugs that are available and the benefits of
each so that both the physician and the patient can make the decision
together.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage the appropriate
state agencies and boards to examine the status of access to quality health
care, including prescription medicines, by African Americans in this
state.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members strongly support efforts to improve and
publicize information on both public and private health care and prescription
drug programs that can help improve access for patients in need.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these efforts should include foreign language education
and outreach programs, if necessary, to facilitate enrollment in these
programs.
BE
IT FINALLY RESOLVED that because the ability of African Americans to access
health care, including prescription medicines, varies from state to state,
individual states should craft responses that best address the needs of their
respective communities.