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Committee hears bill to bar step-therapy for metastatic cancer; oncologists and advocates urge prompt access
Summary
Advocates, oncologists and hospital representatives told the House committee House Bill 2536 would protect metastatic cancer patients from insurer-mandated ‘‘step therapy’’ that can delay access to provider-prescribed treatments.
Supporters of House Bill 2536 told the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care that the bill is designed to prevent insurers from making metastatic cancer patients try and fail on a plan-preferred drug before permitting the provider-prescribed therapy.
Barrett Johnson, staff for Representative Tasia Graber (sponsor), said the measure would prohibit step therapy for advanced metastatic cancer patients and limit coverage to FDA-approved therapies; supporters sought to preserve coverage while ensuring clinicians — not insurers — decide time-critical care. Elena Teer of Susan G. Komen described oncologists’ reports of patients being forced to make…
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