Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Legislature

Alliance of Alabama Healthcare Consumers opposes SB93 and SB99

According to AAHC, the new fee would result in an estimated annual increase of $900 per person or $3,600 per family in prescription costs.

STOCK
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Alliance of Alabama Healthcare Consumers announced its opposition to Senate Bill 93 and Senate Bill 99, citing concerns that both measures would impose an additional $10.64 dispensing fee on every prescription filled in the state. According to AAHC, the new fee would result in an estimated annual increase of $900 per person or $3,600 per family in prescription costs.

AAHC Executive Director Robin Stone issued a statement condemning the proposed legislation, arguing that the measures would exacerbate, rather than alleviate, the financial burden of prescription drug costs on Alabama families and businesses.

“Imposing a permanent fee on every prescription filled in Alabama is not a solution to the problem of rising drug costs; the new $10.64 dispensing fee designated for pharmacy owners is a costly burden that will ultimately create more problems for consumers and employers,” said Stone.

He added that the proposed legislation does nothing to address the root cause of high drug prices.

“Families and employers need help to reduce their prescription drug costs; new fees will add more costs. Both bills fail to address the exorbitant drug prices set by drug manufacturers. This approach ignores the real driving source of rising healthcare costs skyrocketing drug prices from national manufacturers,” Stone stated.

Stone further warned that the financial strain caused by the fee would fall on consumers, employers, and families, rather than the Pharmacy Benefits Managers, PBMs, targeted by the bills.

“If this new proposed $10.64 dispensing fee for pharmacy owners is approved, it will be forced down the supply chain and will be paid by employers, families, and other consumers, and not Pharmacy Benefits Managers. These proposals will cost Alabamians at least an extra $900 per person or $3,600 for a family each year,” Stone concluded.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The AAHC, a 501(c)(4) coalition, represents businesses, public-sector entities, and non-profits advocating for affordable and accessible healthcare in Alabama. The organization said it remains committed to fighting against policies that raise healthcare costs and negatively impact employer-provided benefits.

The Alabama Political Reporter is a daily political news site devoted to Alabama politics. We provide accurate, reliable coverage of policy, elections and government.

More from APR

Legislature

A Senate committee narrowed House Bill 67’s drag performance ban to libraries, but it is still prompting free speech and constitutional objections.

Featured Opinion

Under the guise of reform, SB330 hands power over Birmingham’s water to white suburbs and silences ratepayer voices.

Legislature

The Alabama House unanimously passed HB176 to exempt prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses from state sales tax, sending the bill to the Senate.

Legislature

The League of Women Voters of Alabama urges deleting language empowering a board to purge voter rolls by simple majority vote without due process.