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Committee amends and releases bill to limit prior authorization for some drugs treating serious mental illness
Summary
Assembly Bill 4838 was amended and released after testimony and debate. Sponsors argued removing prior authorization and step therapy for certain prescriptions would speed access to care for people with serious mental illness; health‑plan representatives warned of higher program costs and loss of safety edits.
The Assembly Health Committee amended and released Assembly Bill 4838, which would require coverage of prescription drugs for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management — with committee amendments that narrow the requirement to prescriptions written by psychiatrists (and obstetricians/gynecologists during the postpartum period) and to adults aged 18 or older.
Sponsors said the change is intended to remove barriers and accelerate access to medications for people with serious mental illness. ‘‘When we put forth legislation that has to do with mental health… when it comes…
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