NEA focuses on three key policy areas to improve the lives of people with eczema:
1. Raise awareness
Eczema is a serious inflammatory disease that has a significant impact on the lives of those dealing with the condition. This is known as “burden of disease.” Here’s how we raise awareness with lawmakers about the realities of life with eczema:
- Send messages to legislators during Eczema Awareness Month every October and as other timely opportunities arise throughout the year
- Meet with legislators during our annual Virtual Hill Day, August Recess and other engagement opportunities throughout the year
- Keep digital advocates updated on how they can get involved
2. Access to affordable, effective treatments
Too often, eczema patients face high out-of-pocket costs, delays in accessing the medication their doctors prescribe and restrictive insurance practices that stand between them and the care they need. We’re working to change that. Here’s what we’re fighting for:
- Banning copay accumulators so that all copays count, meaning the financial assistance patients receive counts toward their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum
- Preventing non-medical switching, ensuring patients don’t have to switch medications mid-year simply because of formulary changes (changes to the list of medications the insurer covers)
- Capping out-of-pocket costs (like co-payments, coinsurance limits and prepayment requirements) so that vital eczema treatments remain accessible
- Streamlining prior authorization processes, encouraging legislation that requires insurers to use standardized processes that are sensitive to the needs of patients and help reduce unnecessary delays in getting prescribed treatments
- Protecting patients from step therapy (fail-first policies), ensuring they get the medication their doctor prescribes without being required to try and fail other treatments first
- Allowing the use of telehealth, ensuring that patients have the flexibility to utilize in-person or telehealth services when feasible and/or clinically appropriate
3. Increasing federal funding for eczema research
A better understanding of eczema leads to better treatments — and one day, potentially, a cure. NEA is dedicated to increasing federal funding for eczema research through the National Institutes of Health and through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research program, which provides vital funding for innovative, high risk/high reward medical research.
With more investment in eczema research, we can drive:
