Posted: March 17, 2017
Like multiple other states across the country, Iowa is tackling step therapy reform this year and is making great progress as efforts continue to move forward.
Doctors and patients from around Iowa today descended on the State Capitol to meet with Legislators calling for passage of SF 436 and HF 233, both of which will help protect Iowans from insurer’s step therapy policies that force patients to fail on any number of medications first before finally receiving their provider-prescribed medication. The CSRO was represented at the Iowa Capitol by CSRO Board Member and Rheumatology Association of Iowa President Dr. Michael Brooks. Current legislation before the House and Senate were emphasized thanks to Dr. Brooks, other doctors, and members from various health organization from around the state, who talked about the dangers of step therapy and how the bills put forth would curb the insurer-driven policy that keeps physician-prescribed drugs away from patients by forcing them thru a multi-step process trying and failing other drugs.
The CSRO applauds the efforts of all who took time out of their schedules to attend Iowa’s Fail First Advocacy. We will continue to support SF 436 and HF 233 throughout the legislative process. Please continue to check the CSRO websites for updates on the status of these bills and other step therapy reform throughout the country.
