(Washington, DC)- The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) issued the following statement regarding the introduction of the “Patient Health & Real Medication Access Cost Savings Act of 2009,” by Representative G.K. Butterfield (D – NC):

“At a time when all of Washington wants to reduce the cost of health care, the Butterfield legislation would destroy proven cost-containment tools that unions, large employers, and Medicare rely upon and drive premiums higher for working families, seniors, and the disabled.  

 “The Butterfield legislation would:

• Prohibit unions and employers from creating benefit designs that encourage generic utilization and other cost saving tools.
• Force patients to pay a 20 percent co-insurance for both brand and generic drugs, eliminating the numerous free or reduced-cost drug programs available to those suffering from chronic conditions.
• Impose unrealistic federal price controls.
• Mandate that unions and employers increase payments to drug stores.
• Add new barriers to prevent consumers from using more convenient options like home delivery.”