SB 449 aims to preserve continuity of prior authorization and ease hospital discharge; providers praise, payers urge caution

Summary

SB 449 would preserve prior-authorizations across plan changes (continuity of approvals), prohibit re-running step therapy when a patient has completed it, and require 72-hour medication coverage at hospital discharge. Clinicians said the rules would prevent care interruptions; insurers raised concerns about covered vs excluded drugs and inter‑insurer data exchange. Committee adopted coordination language with earlier House bills and concurred the bill to the floor.