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TO ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS TO WORK WITH LEGISLATIVE COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY WHEN PHYSICIANS OR OTHER HEALTH PRACTITIONERS RECEIVE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR CLINICAL DECISIONS.
Whereas, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus encourage the free flow of information between physicians and patients about which name brand or generic medication will provide the best results for a particular medical need; and
Whereas, FDA-approved generics can be safe and effective and frequently offer much-needed health care cost savings, especially to low-income patients with minimal to no insurance; and
Whereas, generic-brand medicines, however, do not always meet the need for the individual patient. Therefore, patients must be handled on a case-by-case basis to establish the best health care possible, including medication that will bring optimal results, regardless of patients' race or income level; and
Whereas, the patient-health practitioner relationship relies on confidential, honest, and transparent exchange of information, but physicians or health practitioners receiving financial incentives to prescribe certain medications strain that relationship when patients are not informed of such incentives; and
Whereas, the longevity, quality of life, and continued health of all people in this society depend on superior health care and prescription medicines, yet their cost may present access difficulties for individuals of limited means; and
Whereas, the death rate due to cardiovascular disease among African Americans is higher than that of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, and forty percent of African American adult men and women have some form of heart disease; and
Whereas, in light of these statistics, it is in the public's interest for South Carolina to exercise appropriate legislative power to provide its citizens with means and methods of improving access to health care and prescription medicines, such as assistance in taking advantage of programs offered by drug manufacturers and other entities that provide help to low-income patients lacking prescription drug coverage. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, encourage the membership of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus to work with legislative colleagues to ensure transparency when physicians or other health practitioners receive financial compensation for clinical decisions.
Be it further resolved that the members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus support the complete disclosure of information on all available drugs, including their benefits, so physician and patient together can make wise choices of medications.
Be it further resolved that the members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and our fellow legislators examine the status of access to quality health care, including prescription medicines, by African Americans and all low-income citizens in our State.
Be it further resolved that the members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus strongly support state efforts to improve and publicize information on both public and private health care and prescription drug programs that can help improve access for patients in need.
Be it further resolved that, if necessary, these state efforts should include foreign-language education and outreach programs to facilitate enrollment in these programs.
Be it further resolved that because the ability of African Americans to access health care, including prescription medicines, varies from state to state, individual states should craft responses that best address the needs of their respective citizens.
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