[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CANCER DRUG COVERAGE PARITY ACT

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, orally administered anticancer drugs are 
becoming the standard care for certain types of cancer as a promising 
alternative to traditional chemotherapy, which is administered through 
the vein. They are also driving some of the most exciting research in 
fighting cancer as 35 percent in the oncology pipeline are oral chemo 
drugs.
  Unfortunately, insurance policies have not kept pace with the 
science. Typically, IV chemotherapy is covered as a medical benefit 
while oral chemotherapy is covered under the prescription drug 
component. This creates a disparity in coverage and a financial 
disincentive to choose oral chemotherapy. Cancer patients should choose 
a course of treatment based on what they and their doctors believe will 
work best.
  That is why I have introduced the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act. It 
would require insurance plans to provide coverage for oral chemotherapy 
at a cost no less favorable than that of traditional chemotherapy. My 
bill has 68 bipartisan cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to join us to 
support the development of these promising new treatments to patients 
who need them.

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