How prior authorization protects Hoosier patients

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Dear Editor:

More and more these days, I see lawmakers at all levels of government debating health care. I think it is important that in the midst of these conversations, leaders don’t lose sight of what matters most to patients. As someone living with an incurable skeletal disease, I know firsthand what patients need – affordable and impactful care.

My quality of life depends on accessing the treatments and medicines I need. Living with my condition means navigating appointments, medications, and treatment decisions. Trying to balance these demands along with my day-to-day life is a full-time job. For patients like me, stability and consistency in care make all the difference. Well-balanced systems, like prior authorization, ensure that I am receiving the proper care that addresses my needs, while keeping costs manageable. In my experience, these measures add an important layer of review that is cost-effective, backed by medical evidence, and give me peace of mind that I am receiving the right treatments.

When it comes time to costs, Hoosiers pay some of the highest hospital bills in the country. Prior authorization seeks to rein in these hospitals and their opaque billing practices, protecting patients from both unnecessary care and costs that could harm their household budgets. We should not have to choose between going to the hospital and putting food on the table.

As lawmakers continue to deliberate, they must remember patients like me deserve timely access to care, and deserve systems that prioritize quality, keep costs in check, and provide a more healthy lifestyle in the long term.

Rachel Leigh
Westfield