IL House Human Services Committee Puts Patient Health Ahead of Insurer’s Bottom Line

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - April 1, 2015 - PRLog -- Patient and provider groups like the National Psoriasis Foundation, the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, the National Patient Advocate Foundation and others from across the state are praising the Illinois House Human Services Committee for moving forward a key piece of legislation aimed at ensuring thousands of Illinois’ patients access to the specific medications prescribed by their doctor.

HB 3549, proposed by Representative Laura Fine (D-17^th District), puts limits on step therapy and fail first protocols.  These are insurance industry practices where patients are forced to try – and fail – on a series of medications before being allowed to use the prescription their doctor recommended.  This practice has become pervasive in the insurance industry where it can be required even when the prescribed drug is medically more appropriate for a patient’s condition.

"Step therapy could potentially expose patients to ineffective care and delay the treatment recommended by their treating physician, especially those patients with life threatening illnesses," said Larry Lanier, President of State Advocacy and Community Outreach for the National Patient Advocate Foundation.  "Step therapy should never be used as a barrier to appropriate care, and we believe that this bill allows for financially responsible care that is still patient-centric."

The measure recently passed out of committee with unanimous, bi-partisan support after testimony where committee members heard from patients and doctors about the ways step therapy impacts patients.  Advocates are urging for continued support and swift action when lawmakers return from their spring recess.

Darien resident and National Psoriasis Foundation Advocate Maria Dellaportas told the committee about her struggle to get the medication prescribed to treat her psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  Her symptoms include pain in her back and hips, as well as painful skin lesions.  Maria is currently fighting a step therapy protocol to stay on medication that has dramatically lessened her symptoms.  She wants to help pass HB3549 not just to have access to medications she needs, but to help others who are in the same situation: ““At some point, everyone may need a medication---but will they have access to what medication their doctors want them to have? “

While HB 3549 does not ban step therapy, it gives healthcare providers a clear path to appeal the process.  It also adds medical oversight for setting up step therapy protocols, without limiting the number of steps an insurer can impose or prioritizing the prescribing of brand name drugs over generics.

Similar legislation has been passed in states across the country, including Connecticut, Kentucky, Texas and Louisiana.

HB 3549 now heads to the House of Representatives for a floor vote.

About the National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world’s largest nonprofit serving those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our priority is to provide the information and services for people to take control of their condition, while increasing research to find a cure. In addition to serving more than 2.1 million people annually through our education and advocacy initiatives, NPF has funded more than $11 million in psoriatic disease research grants and fellowships. Learn more about the Psoriasis Foundation at www.psoriasis.org <http://www.psoriasis.org> or call 800.723.9166. Follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/national.psoriasis.foundation> and Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/npf> .

About the National Patient Advocate Foundation National Patient Advocate Foundation:

(NPAF) represents the patient's voice nationwide, particularly those struggling with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness.  As the advocacy affiliate of the Patient Advocate Foundation, which provides free copay relief and case management services for patients, we translate the individual experiences of patients who have been denied access to affordable, quality health care to national and state policy initiatives.  Learn more about NPAF at www.npaf.org<http://www.npaf.org>.  Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NPAForg and Twitter http://www.twitter.com/npaf_tweets.