Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to limit out-of-pocket prescription costs was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Patients battling cancer and other chronic diseases have a tough enough time before they face the challenge of paying for expensive treatments and prescriptions, which can cost thousands of dollars a month or more,” said Kean (R-21). “Many other states have succeeded in limiting these outrageous fees for necessary prescriptions. Our efforts to make co-pays more affordable for life-saving prescriptions is the right thing to do.”

Kean’s bipartisan legislation, S-1865, would require certain health insurers, under certain policies or contracts that provide coverage for prescription drugs, to place limitations on covered persons’ cost sharing for the drugs.

The bill would limit a covered person’s out-of-pocket costs to $200 per prescription under the Affordable Care Act’s Bronze Level Plan, and $100 per prescription for all other insured plans.