Cancer awareness advocates across the state are celebrating a piece of legislation they say will ensure more equal treatment for cancer patients. Right now most people getting treatment for cancer intravenously or through an IV are responsible only for paying the cost of an office visit co-pay. Meanwhile those who opt to use oral medications as a treatment, often face high out-of pocket costs. Republican Representative Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach said that’s because of the way those different treatments are covered under a typical insurance plan. And she said that’s not fair.
“To me, cancer treatment is cancer treatment and it shouldn’t matter whether it’s in an oral form or an IV form,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield sponsored the legislation in the House. The bill will ensure the out of pocket expense for either treatment is covered in the same way so patients will have more flexibility to pick the treatment that’s best for them. The proposal was bundled in with several other measures that Mayfield called “life saving items,” in a combination bill. Next it heads to the governor’s desk.
