New law helps patients access chemotherapy

Tools

by Josh Egbert

Story Created: Oct 2, 2012 at 11:51 AM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 2, 2012 at 12:10 PM CDT

Nebraska lawmakers voted unanimously to approve a bill that would require insurance companies to treat oral chemotherapy the same as intravenous treatments for insurance purposes.

That law went into effect Monday, October 1st.

Oral treatments have been available to patients for a few years now, but doctors are hesitant to prescribe them because they are expensive. But with the new law those treatments can now become a more viable option.

"The technology has allowed drug manufactures to produce more of the oral chemotherapy form and has less side effects," said Pornchai Jonlertham, Morrison Cancer Center.

Nebraska is now the 20th state that requires oral chemotherapy to be treated the same at intravenous.

Cancers such as lung, colon, and breast have oral chemo options.

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Poll

Should the legal limit for alcohol behind the wheel be lowered from .08 to .05?

  • Yes
  • No

Local Gas Prices

Lowest Gas Prices in Tri-Cities
Nebraska Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

KHASTV on Facebook

Weather Closings