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(FOX40.COM) — Congresswoman Doris Matsui reintroduced the EPIPEN Act on Thursday, alongside Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost, expanding access to lifesaving allergy medication.
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The updated act would cap out-of-pocket costs for two packs of epinephrine at $60, Matsui said. Those with employer-based or individually purchased health insurance would qualify for the new expansion, which would also cover other forms of epinephrine.
“Families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their kids safe. Yet across the country, the cost of epinephrine has skyrocketed, putting life-saving care out of reach for too many,” Matsui said. “That’s why Congressman Frost and I are reintroducing our bill to cap the cost of this essential medication. Families already face enough stress managing life-threatening allergies—this legislation will lift some of that burden by making epinephrine affordable and accessible for those who need it.”
Rather than focusing on the traditional syringe-based auto-injectors, also known as EpiPens, the act would expand to cover nasal sprays and sublingual films. According to Matsui, this expansion will ensure better access to the drug in whatever format works best for their medical needs.
The congressmembers said the measure comes from reports of Americans rationing or relying on expired epinephrine devices, due to its increasing price despite insurance coverage. The cost of branded epinephrine (like EpiPens) has grown from under $100 to over $600 in recent years.
Matsui stated that the EPIPEN Act would save Americans hundreds of dollars each year. The legislation would also avoid medical altercation due to its increasing access to on-hand medication against allergic reactions.
“Going about life with a severe allergy can be severely anxiety-inducing,” Frost said. “But the simple act of carrying an EpiPen or any other type of epinephrine medication can take away a lot of that stress. I’m hopeful that the EPIPEN Act will allow more and more people and families to have the life-saving medication on hand anywhere, because you never know when you might need it most.”
The EPIPEN Act is endorsed by 13 organizations that focus on the issue of allergies and medical research, including the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, according to the congressmembers.
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Emma Kidger
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