According to health advocates, California's health insurance exchange, Covered California, has decided to approve a policy that could help customers to pay for expensive specialty drugs. The new decision has sparked hope for an expanded state law that could be help a number of people suffering from multiple sclerosis, HIV, diabetes and chronic illnesses, the health advocates stated.

Change in policy is the first in the United States. Under the change, people who purchased high-cost health plans through Covered California will be benefitted. Those buyers will see the specialty drugs capped at about $250 per month per prescription. Now, the caps will range from about $150 to $500.

The health advocates said the change in policy cast a spotlight on a deficiency under the Affordable Care Act. Anthony Wright, executive director of a California-based consumer advocacy coalition Health Access, said, "While they applaud the now 5-year-old law for making most Americans eligible for health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, the high cost of drugs keep those who suffer from chronic illnesses from receiving valuable treatment".

According to Wright, new policy change by Covered California will be beneficial for those people who badly need those high-cost medicines but were forced to spend a huge amount of their pays on the drugs. The health insurance exchange's decision is not permanent and has been planned to be reviewed after one year, Wright said. He also said that the change is not perfect because it excludes some insurance holders, but it is a good start.

Wright and other health advocates have been supporting the legislation which is going through Sacramento. The legislation, AB 339, could put limits on how much health plans can charge the patients. Covered California has been protecting the patients from most outrageous costs, but still they are paying a lot for the medicines.