Opinion: Newsom shouldn’t balance the state budget on the backs of Medi-Cal patients

Gov Gavin Newsom presents his revised - state budget during a news conference in Sacramento Photo by Rich Pedroncelli Associated Press Various argue that Gov Gavin Newsom s budget for California doesn t reduce the deficit enough Budget hawks are suggesting an approach that disproportionately disadvantages patients with cancer and HIV AIDS in contemporary times and threatens the diagnostic innovations of the day after The California Department of Wellbeing Care Services DHCS in recent months circulated a trailer bill proposal to increase minimum supplemental Medi-Cal rebates for HIV AIDS and cancer treatments The proposal would also prevent patients from accessing cutting-edge medicines and force others to undergo a burdensome pre-approval process The bill would give DHCS the authority to disintermediate healthcare providers and unilaterally remove medicines from the Medi-Cal formulary The proposal also restricts opportunities for population input on formulary decisions giving the state almost unchecked power to make decisions that could impact the strength of millions who depend on Medi-Cal While this proposal may sound like a good idea to the casual observer the devil is in the details While increasing rebates this proposal does so without any assurances that these funds will benefit patients directly If passed it would decrease healing access and disincentivize ongoing innovation into treatments for these life-threatening conditions It is a short-sighted grab for dollars to reduce the budget deficit on the back of patients relying on treatments to stay healthier and live longer As the proposal as of now stands there is no guarantee that funds from these increased rebates will increase person access by lowering out-of-pocket costs or advancing access to breakthrough treatments Don t make the same mistake twice Just last year the state relied on a million dollar loan from California s AIDS Drug Assistance Plan ADAP Rebate Fund which covers crucial healthcare services for uninsured and underinsured Californians to fill the budget deficit Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it States that have turned to increasingly costly and unproven plan mechanisms such as Prescription Drug Affordability Boards PDABs in attempts to advance fair pricing and safeguard person access to essential treatments have located that these ill-considered schemes end in impeding client access and raising costs Singling out treatments for patients with cancer and HIV AIDS will increase the stigma that patients living with these and other conditions already face Laying the blame for California s budget woes on individual communities already managing complex vitality conditions alongside the emotional administrative and personal financial burdens is poor financial planning and demonstrates a lack of compassion These proposals are penny-wise and pound-foolish Advancements in research and discovery save lives and money through reduced rates of HIV-AIDS transmission and better medication of cancer at earlier stages giving patients and their families hope and alleviating the strain on the physical condition system overall Reducing the Golden State s budget deficit must be a top priority Still proposals that aim to balance the budget without the crucial guardrails necessary to patronage individual access and future diagnostic innovation are the wrong prescription It is bad politics and framework malpractice The best way to meaningfully address the gap between Californians and their essential healthcare is to develop plans to advance patient-centric programs that reduce costs and enable longer healthier lives Bureaucratic sleight of hand that appropriates financial rebates generated through the purchase of treatments for HIV AIDS and cancer in Medi-Cal should not be used to fill in the state s broader budget gaps Actions have consequences and in this development patients will suffer them Gov Newsom must make sure the consequences product in healthier patients and enhanced health progress Michael W Hodin is the CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging Peter J Pitts a former FDA associate commissioner is president of the Center for Medicine in the Residents Interest