Two New Patient Groups Endorse Protect California Patients As It Qualifies for November Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2024
Contact: Nathan Click, nathan@click-comms.com

Patients’ Rights groups including California Chronic Care Coalition, AIDS Drug Assistance Program Advocacy Association endorse Protect Patients Now to stop abuse of federal program, and ensure money goes to patient care.

Yesterday, CA Secretary of State announced the measure had received enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

California voters will have an opportunity to vote this fall on a ballot measure to stop the misuse of taxpayer funds that are supposed to help patients with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.

The Protect California Patients Now Act would protect up to $2 billion in prescription drug rebates for the state of California annually. These rebates help offset costs in the Medi-Cal program and protects access to critical services for millions of low-income patients. The measure would ensure money from a multi-billion dollar federal program for patients is actually used for patient care, and not diverted to political campaigns or other pet causes.

As the California Secretary of State announced the measure is eligible for the November ballot, two more leading patients rights groups announced their support for the initiative this week. The California Chronic Care Coalition, an alliance of leading patient groups and health care providers and ADAP Advocacy, which works to promote and enhance the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, are both backing the ballot measure.

The measure would prevent the worst abusers of the 340B program from misusing money that is supposed to be used to help patients. It requires these organizations to spend at least 98% of their revenue on direct patient care, resulting in tens of millions of dollars being redirected to patients annually.

“Accountability and transparency are needed in the 340B program to ensure public healthcare dollars are directly spent to help low-income and vulnerable patients secure the medications they need,” said Richard So, Executive Director, SF Hep B Free. “For too long, bad actors have utilized this program to generate revenue without any obligation to use the revenue to assist those the 340B program was specifically designed to serve. It does a disservice to all of us when good-meaning programs are abused. Passing the Protect Patients Now Act is one step to reining in this abuse.”

The Protect California Patients Now Act will be on California’s November ballot. Supporters of the initiative include patient advocacy groups including ALS Association, AiArthritis, Defeating Epilepsy Foundation, San Francisco and Women’s Cancer Network.