Well – I am excited to report, as the Gen. Assembly Session opens today in Richmond, some members of the House are off to a good start!
HJ 79 – PROPOSED FOR 2008 by Phillip Hamilton, addresses the issue of pharmaceutical sales:
Barring physicians or other health care practitioners from prescribing an alternative brand of medication because of financial incentives. Requests the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to develop a policy barring physicians or other health care practitioners from prescribing an alternative brand of medication because of financial incentives without first disclosing the incentives to the patient or the patient’s parent, legal guardian, or other authorized representative.
Here is another one, Kenneth Plum (HJ 69) wants to study alternative solutions to long-term care needs in the Commonwealth; report. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to study alternative solutions to long-term care needs, including intentional communities of clustered homes.
And last but not least, I like this one that didn’t make it last year – thank you delegate Kilgore:
“Copies of medical bills and charges; no cost. Provides that a patient, patient’s attorney, or insurance provider may obtain a list of charges or an account balance pertaining to that patient at no cost. “
This is a great idea – if you want us to help our clients pay your bills, don’t charge us for a copy of the bill!
Stay tuned, see what happens this session!