Affordable cancer drug bill has votes, but has been stalled

MADISON (AP) — Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says there are enough votes to pass a bipartisan bill that would make cancer drugs more affordable, but he won't allow it to come up because a majority of Republicans don't support it.

Fitzgerald commented Wednesday, March 12th when asked about an unusual procedural move that prevents anyone from attempting to force a vote on the measure.

Fitzgerald says there are a majority of votes in the Senate for the Republican-sponsored bill. But he says a majority of Republicans don't back it, so work will continue behind the scenes to reach a deal.

The bill would require insurance plans overseen by the state to provide coverage for expensive forms of chemotherapy drugs that patients take as pills rather than injections.

It is opposed by health insurers.

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