State Rep. Barbara Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) has sent a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill Harris requesting action on her legislation to reduce the cost of diabetes treatment for patients. The Diabetes Cost Reduction Act (HB 81) was approved in the Ohio House with bipartisan support in December of last year, but it has since been languishing in the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee.
I feel very passionate about this bill, and served as the original House sponsor of this important legislation in 1994,” said Rep. Boyd in her letter to the Senate President. “Rep. Gardner and I have worked hard together to craft a sound, bipartisan approach to easing the cost burden on the thousands of Ohioans with diabetes, but we need your assistance in making this coverage a reality for the people of our state. “
In her letter, Rep. Boyd points out that Ohio is just one of four states that have not yet taken action on improving the lives of diabetes sufferers and giving them the adequate coverage and education they need.
She also counters arguments that the bill would result in higher insurance premiums, noting that no other state with a similar law has seen increases.
Rep. Boyd requests the Senate hold hearings and recommend HB 81 for approval.
The text of the letter is below, and the actual letter is attached.
I am writing to urge you to hold hearings and recommend House Bill 81 (Diabetes Cost Reduction Act) for approval. As you know, the bi-partisan legislation that I am co-sponsoring with Rep. Randy Gardner was passed by the Ohio House on December 12, 2009 and has since been pending in your Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee. I am disappointed that it has yet to receive a first hearing.
I feel very passionate about this bill, and served as the original House sponsor of this important legislation in 1994. Rep. Gardner and I have worked hard together to craft a sound, bipartisan approach to easing the cost burden on the thousands of Ohioans with diabetes, but we need your assistance in making this coverage a reality for the people of our state.
Ohio is just one of four states that have not yet taken action on improving the lives of diabetes sufferers and giving them the adequate coverage and education they need. Every one of our Midwestern neighbors has adopted legislation such as HB 81 and none of those states has seen premiums rise directly because of this bill, nor have any of those states repealed their diabetes coverage bills due to increased costs. For over 15 years, the opponents of this bill have repeatedly been invited to submit data from any of the 46 other states where this bill is already law that supports their claims of rising premiums and unaffordable insurance rates due to the implementation of the DCRA. They have been unable to provide any such evidence.
The Cleveland Clinic, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, the Ohio Osteopathic Association, the Ohio Pharmacists Association, the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association, and the Ohio Nurses Association are just a few of the many prominent health care organizations that support HB 81. These providers know the value in both health care and economic policy of providing diabetes medications, supplies and education to those Ohioans who suffer from diabetes.
Please consider the many Ohioans whose diabetes is a physical and financial strain and how this bill can positively impact their lives. Make Ohio the 47th state to pass such an important law.
Sincerely yours,
Barbara Boyd
State Representative
Ohio House—District 9
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