Massachusetts Senate to Debate Prescription Drug Price Bill

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate is set to debate legislation that Democratic leaders say will address the soaring cost of prescription drugs.

This legislation would create a process to help identify drug price thresholds that supporters of the bill say pose a public health risk.

The bill would also immediately address the price of insulin by eliminating deductibles and coinsurance for insulin and capping co-pays at $25 per month. It would also require pharmacists to notify patients if the retail cost of a medication is less than a co-pay or deductible.

The Senate is scheduled to debate the bill this week.

The release of the Senate plan comes just weeks after Republican Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled a health care bill also designed to stem the growth of costly prescription drugs.