2015 in Review: 8 Trends that Shaped Patient Access
December 21, 2015
Here’s a look back at the trends and topics that shaped patient access this year.
1. “Affordable” Care Empties Americans’ Pockets
What’s the trade-off for affordable monthly health plan premiums? Unmanageable deductibles and sky-high co-pays, many newly insured Americans discovered.
Learn more:
- For Nearly 1/3 of Americans, Cost Still Delays Health Care
- Exchange Open Enrollment Ends, But Rx Access Concerns Linger
2. The Waiting Game
Yet another year closes with prescribers and policymakers awaiting final FDA guidance on key issues regarding biological medicines—naming, indication extrapolation, and prescribing information.
Learn more:
- U.S. Senators Press FDA Director on Unresolved Biosimilar Policy Issues
- Unresolved Policy Issues Impact Patient Access to Biosimilars
3. What Ails Hepatitis C Patients? Discrimination.
More new direct-acting antiviral treatments for hepatitis C helped drove down the price of a cure. But extensive prior authorization processes still imposed a barrier between hepatitis C patients and the treatment they need.
Learn more:
- CMS Notice Urges Access to Hepatitis C Cures for Medicaid Patients
- New Study: 1 in 4 Patients Initially Denied Hepatitis C Cures
- HHS’ Proposed Non-discrimination Rule Leaves Chronic Disease Patients in the Lurch
4. The Vaccine Debate Goes Viral
A measles outbreak spurred state legislators to action and ignited a firestorm of national debate about personal liberty, public health and the science behind vaccination.
Learn more:
- Disneyland Measles Outbreak Stirs Vaccine Debate
- California Takes Bold Steps to Improve Patient Access, Safety
- Protecting Premature Infants From Infectious Diseases
5. Value Propositions: What Counts & Who’s Counting
A profit-driven hedge fund manager, a Senate report and still more value models for the treatment of cancer revived questions about the cost—and value—of innovative medicine.
Learn more:
- Rx Cost Debate Overlooks Patient Access Issues
- ASCO Value Framework Sparks Dialogue on Patient-centered Care
- NCCN Value Tool Overlooks Key Access Factors
6. The End of Medical Screening?
First prostate cancer and now COPD. Will government’s low opinion of certain screening practices lead patients to thrown caution to the wind?
Learn more:
- Prostate Cancer: As Screening Dips, Concerns Rise
- Will Recommendation Against COPD Screening Undermine Early Diagnosis?
7. Small Patients, Big Gains
Congress noticed the little people this year with several bills dedicated to infant health. But challenges remain for the most fragile – preemies.
Learn more:
- Lawmakers Propose Incentives for Developing Infant Therapies
- Congress Unanimously Passes “Protecting Our Infants Act”
- Protecting Premature Infants From Infectious Diseases
8. Pain Policy that Doesn’t Hurt
State legislatures and federal and private health plans battled over access to innovative formulationsdesigned to reduce opioid misuse.
Learn more:
- Rx Opioid Overdoses Decrease, Driven by Abuse-deterrent Technology
- Medicare Coverage for Abuse-deterrent Opioids Dips, Despite Pills’ Effectiveness
- Patients Need Access to Reap the Benefits of Abuse-deterrent Pain Meds
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