AMCP Statement on California vs. Texas Oral Argument

Alexandria, Va., Nov. 10, 2020 – Prior to U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments this morning in the case of California vs. Texas, AMCP released the below statement.  

Statement from Susan Cantrell, chief executive officer of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy: 

"In the middle of a global health crisis, California vs. Texas puts health care for millions at further risk. Among the many consequences of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being struck down, a ruling declaring the entire law unconstitutional could negate pharmacy benefits and would remove protections for the 135 million Americans who have pre-existing conditions — opening them to being charged higher prices for coverage and making coverage unattainable for many.  

AMCP works to ensure patients have access to the medications they need at costs they can afford. One way the ACA makes medication more accessible is by creating a regulatory pathway to approve biosimilars: FDA-approved versions of existing biologic medicines that are often used to treat complex, chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.  

Biosimilars, which are expected to deliver up to $100 billion in savings to the U.S. health care system in the next five years, are essential to millions of Americans across the country who live with chronic conditions. Striking down the ACA would have immediate and costly ramifications to patients, the government, and payers, pushing many critical biologic therapies out of reach.  

As it has done before, we call on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act and protect health care for Americans across the country." 

About AMCP   
AMCP is the professional association leading the way to help patients get the medications they need at a cost they can afford. AMCP’s diverse membership of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, biopharmaceutical professionals, and other stakeholders leverage their specialized expertise in clinical evidence and economics to optimize medication benefit design and population health management and help patients access cost-effective and safe medications and other drug therapies. AMCP members improve the lives of nearly 300 million Americans served by private and public health plans, pharmacy benefit management firms, and emerging care models. Visit www.amcp.org.