Without affordable health care, the most vulnerable Californians lose

OPINION – As an elected official who first came into office mid-pandemic, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles and challenges faced by our residents when it comes to accessing affordable healthcare. Today, I want to shed light on a pressing issue that demands our attention: the urgent need to ban copay accumulators in our state.

The term copay accumulator sounds like bureaucratic or technical jargon, but its impact on the lives of Californians, particularly those with chronic illnesses, cannot be overstated. These new policies, which have been stealthily added into plans offered by more than half of insurers in California, shift more financial burden onto patients already grappling with the heavy weight of chronic conditions. It is time we put an end to this unjust practice and prioritize the well-being of our communities.

In the aftermath of the Affordable Care Act, Insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PMBs) were no longer able to deny coverage for life-saving treatments. Unsurprisingly, they spent the next years trying to find ways to evade covering the costs of essential medications and therapies. One of their work-arounds was to create language that stated that no third-party assistance – from charities, non-profits, and drug manufacturers – would count towards a person’s deductible. Their hope was that without assistance, patients who can’t afford to pay the full expense of a drug will try to find a cheaper alternative. The reality is that for most drugs and treatments impacted by copay accumulators, there aren’t comparable options. So the result is patients and their families being pushed into financial ruin or forced to forgo critical care.

By banning copay accumulators, we can ensure that patients receive the treatments they need without facing the additional burden of crippling medical debt.

For far too long, the Latino community in Montebello and across California has been disproportionately affected by chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. These conditions require ongoing and often expensive treatments, placing an enormous burden on families who are already grappling with limited resources. Copay accumulators pose a significant threat to the financial stability of Latino families, exacerbating existing disparities and perpetuating a cycle of unequal access to healthcare.

By banning copay accumulators, we can ensure that patients receive the treatments they need without facing the additional burden of crippling medical debt. It is a matter of basic fairness and compassion that we cannot afford to overlook. Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and it is our duty to ensure that every resident of California, regardless of their background or income level, can access the care they deserve.

California has always paved the path for the nation in bold and progressive policy making, especially in expanding healthcare access and affordability. By taking a decisive stand against copay accumulators, we can safeguard the principles of equality and justice that define our great state.

I was disappointed to see Assemblymember Weber’s bill to ban copays fail to pass this session but hope that it will get reintroduced again next year and that we can count on our representatives to act swiftly and decisively. Let’s demonstrate that the health of our families and neighbors is not negotiable.

Banning copay accumulators is a necessary step towards a more equitable healthcare system in California. Together, we can prioritize the needs of our communities over corporate profits, and ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of a healthier and more just society.

Scarlet Peralta is the Mayor pro Tem for the City of Montebello