OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, along with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, Tim Scott, and Maggie Hassan, have introduced the Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act, aimed at providing life-saving treatments and cures for rare disease patients. The bill would allow state Medicaid programs to voluntarily enter value-based purchasing (VBP) arrangements with drug manufacturers, increasing patient access to innovative drugs such as gene therapies.

"Value-based purchasing better aligns our health care system towards patient care," said Sen. Mullin. "By linking the cost of treatments to patient outcomes, VBP arrangements give rare disease patients access to life-saving care options without leaving them or the health care system financially liable for ineffective treatments."

Sen. Sinema emphasized the importance of the bill for Arizona patients, stating, "Our new bill ensures Arizona families can get quality, affordable care when they need it and that state Medicaid programs are investing in care that is proven to improve clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life."

Sen. Scott highlighted the potential of value-based payment arrangements to provide hope and opportunity for accessing cell and gene therapies, stating, "Shifting to value-based payment arrangements will create more hope and opportunity for folks to access cell and gene therapies that fight some of the most devastating diseases and disorders."

Sen. Hassan echoed the sentiment of expanding access to healthcare, saying, "Everyone should have access to the health care that they need in order to thrive."

The bipartisan legislation has garnered support from various organizations including the Institute for Gene Therapies, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, Council for Affordable Health Coverage, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

The companion bill introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Brett Guthrie and Anna Eshoo has already passed the Energy and Commerce Committee, signaling progress towards providing better access to life-saving treatments and cures for patients with rare diseases.