Gene White, VHF Board Member, and recipient of VHF travel grant for NBDF Washington Days
March 6-9, 2024 the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) gathered in Washington D.C. back in person for Washington Days. Over 400 families from around the country affected with bleeding disorders gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Washington DC including my son Jackson. We spent our day Thursday March 7th meeting with elected officials to educate, share our stories, discuss impact of narrow formularies by some insurance plans and the impact of Copay Accumulator Adjustor Programs have on our community and other communities with high drug cost.
This year we were asking for the support from our Senators and Representative for the HELP Copays Act that is a bipartisan bill that requires health insurance plans to count certain payments made by or on behalf of a plan enrollee towards a plans cost sharing requirements. This was received well in all our meetings. Additionally, we were asking for the signing a letter to Health and Human Services to enforce limiting narrow formularies and covering all disease states by insurance companies for drugs that there is no generic equivalent. In other words, having one drug for treatment for all types of hemophilia.
We always enjoy making friends, networking, and meeting other community members at this event. Please reach out to VHF if you need additional details on contracting your elected officials. Go here to see photos.
