Floridians want two things that must go hand in hand: lower out-of-pocket costs and reliable access to the medicines their doctors prescribe. HB 697 / SB 1158 would tie prescription drug reimbursement in Florida to prices set by foreign health systems, raising concerns about patient access, continuity of care, and provider viability.
HB 697 / SB 1158 could make some medicines harder to access if doctors or pharmacies are paid less than what those medicines cost. When that happens, patients may experience non-medical switching, delays, or be sent to higher-cost hospital settings instead of receiving care in their community, increasing system-wide costs. For patients managing conditions like cancer, autoimmune disease, neurological conditions, or rare disorders, even short disruptions in care can be life-altering.
Experience from other countries illustrates these risks. While nearly 90% of medicines launched globally between 2012 and 2021 are available to U.S. patients, access abroad is far more limited, about 48% in the United Kingdom, 24% in Australia, and 21% in Canada, with many patients waiting years longer for new treatments or never gaining access at all.
Lower prices on paper do not guarantee lower costs for patients. Although intended to lower premiums, HB 697 / SB 1158 contains no mechanism to ensure savings reach patients or reduce premiums, and experience shows savings are often absorbed elsewhere in the system.
Thankfully, Florida can pass proven, patient-first options to lower costs without risking access, including:
- Sharing negotiated discounts and rebates with patients at the point of sale
- Ensuring all co-pay assistance counts toward deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits
- Improving transparency and accountability for insurers and PBMs
Read the following joint letter from 34 patient and provider advocacy organizations to learn more about why Florida legislators should oppose HB 697 / SB 1158 and instead prioritize solutions that lower costs while protecting access to the medicines Floridians rely on.