AUSTIN, Texas – En la Legislatura de Texas, una iniciativa para ayudar a enfrentar el alza en los precios de medicamentos está en manos de un comité del Senado. La semana pasada el Congreso aprobó la "House Bill" 2536, con apoyo unánime. Esta ley podría mejorar la transparencia de los fabricantes de medicamentos respecto a los costos de sus componentes y elaboración.

Los legisladores de Texas han mostrado hasta ahora un apoyo arrollador a la legislación a la que, en opinión de la AARP, sería una de las medidas más fuertes del país en cuanto a transparencia en los precios de medicamentos. La “House Bill 2536” está en manos de un comité senatorial, luego de haber sido aprobada en el Congreso sin oposición.

El documento invita a los fabricantes de medicamentos, administradores de beneficios en las farmacias y planes de beneficios a la salud, a que aporten información sobre ciertos costos de fabricación de medicamentos para que sea compartida en un sitio de internet público del estado.

El Director Asociado Estatal de la AARP en Texas, Blake Hutson, dice que el estado debería ser notificado si el precio al mayoreo de un medicamento aumenta más del 10 por ciento en un año, o más del 40 en cinco años.

“Los medicamentos aumentan 15 ó 16% cada año; luego de cuatro años un medicamento casi duplica su costo. Los medicamentos de insulina han subido como un 80 ó 90% en los últimos cuatro años. Así que es un gran problema para los tejanos, y realmente impacta sus vidas.”

Hutson dice que la medida aclararía cuánto del costo de un medicamento es publicidad y marketing, así como investigación y desarrollo.

Una enmienda de última hora agregó que la ley requiere aún más datos que deben obtenerse de los fabricantes de medicamentos. Quienes se oponen han señalado que cumplir con las leyes de una transparencia rigurosa también implica un costo para los fabricantes, que afectará el precio de las medicinas.

Con menos de 10 días restantes en la sesión legislativa, Hutson espera que el momentum del Congreso ayude a que la iniciativa avance rápido en el Senado.

“Hay muchos intereses que pueden oponerse a cambios en esta ley, como empresas farmacéuticas, pero en el Congreso tuvo una tonelada de apoyo bipartidista. La Administración Trump y los compañeros bipartidistas del Congreso apoyan todos la transparencia en los precios de medicamentos.”

A nivel federal, un nuevo reglamento entra en vigor este verano para exigir a las empresas fabricantes de medicamentos que incluyan su lista de precios en sus comerciales de televisión, cuando el abastecimiento para un mes cueste más de 35 dólares.

Hasta ahora, siete estados han promulgado leyes de transparencia para medicamentos.

La iniciativa HB 2536 puede ser consultada en: capitol.texas.gov.

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.