Submitted by Office of State Senator Kyle Walker
Walker
A bill sponsored by State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) that would prohibit health insurers from requiring step therapy for patients undergoing treatment for advanced metastatic cancer before gaining coverage for another prescription drug passed the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 24 with bipartisan support.
“House Enrolled Act 1114 would help increase and expedite Hoosiers’ access to health care when facing advanced metastatic cancer,” Walker said. “I appreciate the work of HEA 1114’s author and co-authors to address this issue, and I am glad to see this bill move closer to the finish line.”
House Enrolled Act 1114 would apply to a state employee health plan, policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization that covers an individual or group contract. These plans would be restrained from requiring patients to fail to respond to a prescription drug or prove a history of failure to respond to a prescription drug before coverage is provided for another prescription drug.
Under the bill, a prescription drug that would be covered by one of the three plans must be consistent with best practices for treatment, supported by peer reviewed research and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
HEA 1114 now moves to the governor for further consideration.
State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) represents Senate District 31, which includes portions of Hamilton and Marion counties.