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Oregonians on Medicaid Will Soon Access Lifesaving Gene Therapies at a Fraction of the Cost News By Diane Megaw On Jun 14, 2025 Gene Therapy | Courtesy: NIH Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) will be able to access affordable, lifesaving cell and gene therapies affordable, lifesaving cell and gene therapies from January 1, 2026, as a result of the state joining the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiative. Access To Cell & Gene Therapy In Oregon As part of a multi-year effort with CMS aimed at negotiating lower costs for innovative treatments, Oregon is among 35 states that have applied to join the CMS initiative in 2024. The Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model program aims to enhance access to transformative treatments for Medicaid recipients with rare or severe diseases by reducing the costs for participating states. CMS will negotiate agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers on behalf of states. Cell and gene therapies —single treatments with the potential to transform lives by addressing the underlying causes of diseases, alleviating symptoms, and halting disease progression —can be challenging due to the high costs involved. Lower-cost therapies for people with sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder affecting about 120,000 Americans, of which around 800 reside in Oregon- mainly within Black, African American, and Hispanic communities will be the initial focus. The average lifespan for people living with sickle cell disease is 20 years less than the national average. Cell and gene therapy pricing will enhance access to innovative treatments, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. The treatment will be linked to specific outcomes for Medicaid members and seeks to minimize the burden on state Medicaid programs. Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email