Hawai῾i recently scored a “D” on “Hepatitis C: State of Medicaid Access,” a report from Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law Policy and Innovation and the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, a national coalition “fighting for an equitable world free of viral hepatitis.” The state scored poorly in areas related to prior authorization requirements, prescriber restrictions, and access in managed care settings. The state also places unnecessary restrictions against those who use substances and has excessive documentation requirements.
“It’s troubling that Hawai῾i lags so many other states in providing meaningful access to life saving curative treatments for hepatitis C. Prior authorization requirements and restrictions related to substance use do not further the health of patients or our communities. Hepatitis C is the first virus we have ever cured, and we must increase access to incredibly effective curative treatments that are now available,” said HHHRC Executive Director Heather Lusk, who also serves as the Co-Director of Hep Free Hawai῾i.
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