Over 100 Patient Stakeholders Urge Secretary Price to Maintain ‘Six Protected Classes’ Policy

On Friday, September 8, 2017, the Partnership for Part D Access presented a letter — cosigned by 111 individual patient advocacy organizations — to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, highlighting the importance to patients of the Medicare six protected classes policy. “The protected classes policy is essential for maintaining access to proper treatment for Medicare beneficiaries,” the letter states. “Patients with a condition in one of the protected classes have very complicated medical needs, and many of these patients must attempt a variety of therapies before coming to a decision with their physicians about what is the most appropriate treatment.” The letter delivers a strong and clear message to the Administration that the protected classes policy continues to provide essential access to medication for Medicare beneficiaries, enjoys widespread, bipartisan support, and should not be changed.

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