Suzanna Masartis: Don't give chronic condition sufferers another thing to worry about

In Pennsylvania, covid-19 continues to ravage communities, with the number of cases now exceeding 142,000 and climbing. For people struggling with chronic liver disease, this is devastating news. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Americans with liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, could be at an increased risk of serious illness from covid-19. Not only must these individuals battle their chronic conditions, they also must face the dangers associated with severe coronavirus complications.

Living with a chronic condition is challenging enough on its own without the coronavirus pandemic further exacerbating the situation. Whether it’s a demanding set of lifestyle changes, a taxing treatment regimen or immensely costly health care expenses, the 4.5 million Americans living with diagnosed liver disease already face a bevy of health-related obstacles. But now, in addition to the difficulties of their chronic condition and the complications of covid-19, these patients may soon face another massive threat to their well-being: harmful government policy.

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order empowering the federal government to address the problem of drug costs in the United States. But rather than institute policies to benefit patients struggling to afford their medication, the administration’s executive action would do precisely the opposite. It would compound problems for those who rely most heavily on accessible and affordable treatment options — individuals suffering from chronic conditions.

The executive order would establish a federally mandated pricing scheme for Medicare Part B, scheduled to be released in the coming weeks. Known as the “most favored nation” (MFN) pricing model, this plan would impose price controls over the cost of various prescription drugs. But these price controls won’t be based on carefully considered, economically rigorous calculations; instead, they would be lifted from the arbitrary drug costs of foreign nations. Indeed, the MFN executive order would dictate that Medicare acquiesce its pricing authority to other countries, without considering how these price controls harm the American health care system or the lives that depend upon it.

By setting the price of prescription drugs at artificially low, foreign-based rates, the MFN pricing model would actually limit access to health care rather than promote it. That’s because the foreign price controls would essentially inhibit drug manufacturers from developing and distributing the treatments patients need. With less incoming revenue, these pharmaceutical companies will have fewer financial resources to invest in new, effective treatments. Simply put, the drug manufacturers won’t be able to meet consumer demand, and patients’ access to lifesaving treatment will suffer as a consequence.

Unfortunately, the administration’s efforts to reduce health care costs will undoubtedly backfire. The MFN executive order could potentially leave millions of Americans without adequate access to health care. And those with chronic conditions, like liver disease will feel the impact most acutely. For these vulnerable patients, lacking access to their treatments isn’t just inconvenient — it could be life-ending.

For the health and security of these Americans, the Trump administration must reevaluate its MFN executive order. People struggling with chronic liver disease already have more than enough challenges to face; the federal government shouldn’t be keen to add more.

Suzanna Masartis is executive director of Community Liver Alliance in Pittsburgh.