In Case You Missed It: California Medical Association Opposes November Prescription Drug Contracting Measure

SACRAMENTO – Calling it the “wrong prescription,” the California Medical Association (CMA), representing more than 41,000 physicians, formally announced it was opposed to the Misleading Rx Measure slated for California’s November 2016 statewide ballot. CMA joins more than 50 other organizations formally opposed to the measure.

From the press release:

“While California’s physicians are profoundly concerned about the affordability of prescription drugs, we evaluated this measure and have concluded it is deeply flawed and unworkable,” said Steven E. Larson, M.D., MPH, president of CMA. “We believe the measure would likely increase – not lower – state prescription drug costs. Of greatest concern to doctors is that the measure would result in a new bureaucratic prior approval process that could interfere with patient access to the medicines they need.”

“The ballot measure would prevent certain state agencies from entering into contracts for the purchase of prescription drugs unless the price paid is the same as or lower than the special discounts provided to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The measure could result in the invalidation of existing agreements between the state and pharmaceutical companies that already provide significant discounts to the state.

“The cancellation of contracts also would remove many drugs from the Medi-Cal list of pre-approved medicines – creating a new prior authorization hurdle for patients and their physicians.

“CMA supports real reforms to protect consumers and lower drug costs. But this ballot measure is the wrong prescription,” Larson added.”

Below is a growing list of groups opposed to the misleading measure.

Health

  • California Medical Association (CMA)
  • California Association of Rural Health Clinics
  • Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
  • Latino Diabetes Association
  • California Hepatitis C Task Force
  • California Psychiatric Association
  • American Liver Foundation – Pacific Coast Division
  • Lupus Foundation of Southern California
  • International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis
  • Community Health Action Network
  • The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation
  • Minority Health Institute
  • Los Angeles Wellness Station
  • Mental Health Systems
  • Plaza Community Services (clinic)

Veterans

  • Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
  • Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
  • American GI Forum of California
  • AMVETS, Department of California
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of California
  • Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
  • American Legion, Department of California
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America, Bay Area & Western Chapter
  • Association of the United States Army, Northern California
  • Reserve Officer Association, Department of the Golden West
  • Fleet Reserve Association, West Coast Region
  • Minority Veterans Coalition of California
  • Jewish War Veterans of America, Department of California
  • Scottish American Military Society

Civil and Human Rights

  • California NAACP
  • Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC)
  • Black Women Organized for Political Action – PAC
  • Embracing Latina Leadership Alliances (ELLAS)
  • Beverly Hills Hollywood NAACP

Taxpayer

  • California Taxpayer Protection Committee
  • San Diego County Taxpayers Association

Labor

  • LA/OC Building & Construction Trades Council

Business

  • California Chamber of Commerce
  • California Business Roundtable
  • California Manufacturers & Technology Association
  • Valley Industry & Commerce Association
  • Orange County Business Council
  • Silicon Valley Leadership Group
  • Los Angeles County Business Federation
  • San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
  • Fresno Chamber of Commerce
  • Chamber of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
  • San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
  • San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce
  • Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce
  • Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
  • Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce

Senior

  • California Senior Advocates League
  • ONEgeneration

 

2017-09-14T07:08:00+00:00