Governor Hochul signs legislation to eliminate cost-sharing on asthma inhalers

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul says she has signed legislation to increase access to life-saving medication for New Yorkers suffering from asthma by eliminating co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles for life-saving inhalers.

The new law will ensure that one form of rescue inhaler and one form of maintenance inhaler will be provided to patients on state-regulated health plans at no cost.

With over 1.4 million adults in New York living with asthma, officials say eliminating these costs will make life-saving medication more accessible to those who need it. “No one should have to choose between paying their bills or refilling a prescription for an inhaler that could save their life,” Governor Hochul said.

“Requiring insurance coverage and eliminating coinsurance for inhalers will help millions of New Yorkers living with asthma ensure they are never without the medication they depend on.”

Legislation S.1804-A/A.128-A requires every insurance policy to include coverage for inhalers for the treatment of asthma and ensures that enrollees have access to at least one rescue and one maintenance inhaler that is not subject to a deductible, co-pay, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirement.

The cost of asthma inhalers can be cost prohibitive for many, with the price of each life-saving device being as high as $640 a month in some instances.

According to the New York State Department of Health, more than 1.4 million adults in New York live with asthma. The condition also significantly affects children.

In 2021, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 315,000 children in New York State had asthma — about 8.9 percent of the state's child population.

According to the CDC, asthma claims the lives of approximately 10 people every day, making it the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.