Maria Elvira Salazar

“I have always said that those who need access to affordable, quality healthcare deserve help. It is one of my missions in Congress to ensure that happens. One issue that bothers me is patients never reaching their deductible or out-of-pocket max despite getting copay assistance to help. Insurers are accepting the assistance on behalf of the patient but instead of passing the benefits down and lowering a patient’s balance, they pocket the assistance and leave the patient high and dry. That is unacceptable, which is why I cosponsored the HELP Copays Act this Congress and last Congress. This bill would close this loophole that insurers are exploiting by requiring them and PBMs to apply this financial assistance to a patient’s cost-sharing requirements.

Another issue that frustrates me is step therapy and prior authorization protocols. I understand that keeping costs low is important, but too often it seems that insurers think they know patients better than the patient’s doctor. Patients need to take certain medications because other options haven’t worked. Forcing a patient to go back to square one after several months or switching insurance carriers despite there being clear evidence they have already tried that and those medications didn’t work – that too is unacceptable. Patients lose hope or start taking medications that make their issues worse, causing unnecessary hospitalizations and thus, contributing to the biggest healthcare costs our nation faces. That’s why I’ve supported bills like the Safe Step Act and Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, two bills that reduce unnecessary hurdles for patients and ensure they have access to medications they actually need, without delay.”

Statement submitted by campaign or congressional office