BILL NUMBER:  SB 161
  VETOED	DATE: 10/11/2009




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 161 without my signature.

While I have historically supported greater access to necessary
pharmaceutical treatments and appreciate the author and sponsors'
intent, I cannot support this particular measure.  For those patients
fortunate enough to have health coverage in today's economic
environment, health plans already provide coverage for oral
anticancer medications.  This bill limits a plan's ability to control
both the appropriateness of the care and the cost by requiring them
to immediately cover every medication as soon as it receives federal
approval regardless of the provisions of the health plan's formulary
? placing them at a severe disadvantage when negotiating prices with
drug manufacturers.

I do believe that oral anticancer medications can be more
cost-effective and efficacious in some instances.  If there is a way
to provide greater access without increasing overall costs, I would
be willing to reconsider such a measure next year.  I would encourage
a collaborative approach with my Administration, the health plans,
and the pharmaceutical manufacturers next year on this topic.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger