To the Editor,

It can be easy to forget that progress in the fight against cancer happens in more than just the doctor’s office. Even lawmakers can play a part in ensuring cancer patients have access to the care and prescriptions they need to fight the disease. One way they can do this is by removing financial barriers to care and treatment.

Many Rhode Islanders face high out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs, and co-pay assistance programs are critical to helping patients access needed therapies.  Earlier this week, the Rhode Island Senate voted in support of legislation that would restrict the use of co-pay accumulator adjustment programs and ensure Rhode Islanders receive the total value of prescription drug assistance available to them to afford their treatments.

Families battling cancer and other chronic diseases have enough to deal with. They should not also be overwhelmed by unnecessarily high prescription drug costs. Passing this legislation H8014/S2720 will help ensure all Rhode Islanders – not just those with cancer – face one less financial hurdle as they go through treatment.

I urge K. Joseph Shekarchi to support H8041/S2720 restricting the use of co-pay accumulator programs and protecting Rhode Islander’s access to affordable prescription medicine.

Ethel Ricci

Warwick

Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)