States must pay for expensive life-saving hepatitis C medications for people who are actively using drugs.
Some states tried to ration life-saving but expensive direct-acting antivirals to those they felt were not compliant with doctor’s advice, which would include stopping the use of dangerous IV drugs. Sharing syringes is one of the most common ways Hepatitis is transmitted. Doctors have refused transplants to so-called noncompliant patients because studies show that non-compliant patients are far more likely to end up losing the transplanted organ.
Direct antivirals have a cure rate of 90% but can cost upwards of $1,00 per pill with pills given daily for up to 24 weeks.
However, the US Justice Department says that requiring active drug users to stop using and seek treatment violates the rights of those suffering from substance use disorder. SUD, and is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This ruling came about because Alabama’s Medicaid Agency required patients to stop using drugs and alcohol for six months prior to receiving treatment.
