Lawsuit seeks to require Texas Medicaid to offer HCV drugs

Texas should provide Medicaid beneficiaries with hepatitis C medications regardless of the expense, according to a new class-action lawsuit. Currently, the state limits treatments to beneficiaries who already are experiencing severe liver damage. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three individuals who have the infection against officials with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which administers Medicaid in the state. The antiviral medications against hepatitis C represent a huge improvement over earlier treatments, but they are also far more expensive. Some states have tried to ration treatments for both their Medicaid and prison populations; many states, including Texas, limit treatments to patients whose symptoms are the worst. However, without treatment, according to advocates, many of those with less severe or no symptoms could progress to serious conditions, and it is not right deny them medication to save money.