Uniting for a Better Future - Addressing Transgender Rights and Cancer Treatment

Bathroom Bans: A Distraction from Real Issues

Just a few days after Representative-elect Sarah McBride was elected, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a policy banning transgender people from using some Capitol restrooms. This decision by Rep. Nancy Mace to introduce a resolution barring transgender women from using women's restrooms at the Capitol and filing broader legislation for all federal buildings and federally funded schools raises questions. There are indeed more significant issues that our elected officials should be addressing, such as homelessness, food insecurity, health care, and climate change. McBride took the right approach by focusing on delivering for Delawareans rather than getting caught up in bathroom debates. Let us hope that our leaders can learn from this and prioritize what truly matters.

Imagine the energy and resources that could be directed towards solving these real problems if we didn't waste time on discriminatory bathroom policies. Transgender individuals deserve respect and equal access, just like everyone else. It's time to move beyond such petty issues and focus on the well-being of our entire society.

Eliminating Barriers to Life-Saving Cancer Treatments

The Ohio Hematology Oncology Society represents over 220 dedicated providers committed to protecting access to quality cancer care. Unfortunately, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are creating barriers that undermine timely access to life-saving treatments for patients in Ohio and nationwide. PBMs hold significant power in the prescription drug supply chain, dictating which medications patients can access, at what cost, and when.

Practices like spread pricing, restrictive formularies, and rebate-driven decisions often delay care, increase out-of-pocket expenses, and restrict access to critical medications. For cancer patients, whose prognosis depends on the speed of treatment initiation, these policies can be devastating. Recent federal initiatives show growing bipartisan recognition of the need for reform. Banning spread pricing in Medicaid, increasing transparency, and delinking PBM profits from drug costs are essential steps towards a more patient-focused system. Studies have also shown that PBM reforms could significantly reduce overall drug costs, creating a more equitable system for patients and healthcare providers.

Congress has the opportunity to push forward with PBM policy reform legislation. We urge our Ohio Congressional delegates to prioritize PBM reform and ensure that patients have access to the care they need to fight cancer.