Cost of Treatment: Ipilimumab (Yervoy) and others

Maybe you read yesterday's post about the announced cost of Ipilimumab (Yervoy) by Bristol Meyers Squibb. $120,000 for the four infusions. The Melanoma Community Boards are lit up like Christmas trees - many grateful for being able to access a drug which they were not able to get on before approval at any price (with the hope insurance will cover portions of it or negotiate a rate deal with the drug company). Many are outraged at the pricing, and the fear it will be unaffordable for them.

Medical Care Costs

This is not really a point of view about the new health care law, or attempts to roll it back. What I can share is how crazy our system is from the point of view about how insurance does or doesn't work. And then the more fundamental point which is about the overall rise in healthcare costs.