U.S.: Foundation calls PA’s treatment of hepatitis C troubling

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A state advisory committee recently recommended that Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program pay to treat all patients suffering from hepatitis C — not just those who have advanced or life-threatening cases of the disease.

In a 10-7 vote last month, Pennsylvania’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee decided to support a lift on restrictions that keep patients with less-severe cases of hepatitis C from receiving treatment, a constraint intended to reduce costs.

Patient advocacy organizations, along with the state committee, however, say that providing patients with adequate care is essential and may be more cost-efficient in the long-run.