How do you define VALUE in healthcare?

10th annual Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA) National Policy & Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC

Lawmakers consider cost when defining the value of medications, but what are they missing?

As the country debates on how to keep the healthcare system financially above water, this has become an issue of great importance. At the 10th annual Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA) National Policy & Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC on October 1, 2025, I was honored to share the stage with a patient advocate, a policy expert, and a fellow healthcare provider. We discussed this question and provided answers based on our unique perspectives.

I consider four areas when I assess value of medications:

1) How well does the medication treat the target disease

2) Does it help prevent secondary damage from the diease or sequelae

3) Does it improve my patient's quality of life

4) What is the cost to my patient as well as the cost to healthcare system

It is more important than ever for all of us to speak up for more value out of our healthcare with less bureaucratic burden.