EDITORIAL: SB 509 was right decision

Muskogee Phoenix (OK)

April 21-- Apr. 21--Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law this past week a bill that requires insurers to establish clear guidelines for any plan that utilizes step therapy protocols. That was the right and sensible thing to do, and we applaud his decision.

Insurance companies too often put costs above patients and their needs. That is why it was necessary for lawmakers and prescribe a better option for those who were being subjected to the less expensive "fail-first" method that put many patients at risk.

Step therapy requires doctors to prescribe less expensive -- and generally less effective -- pharmaceutical alternatives selected by insurance companies before coverage is granted for the prescriber's choice. While there may be some short-term savings in premiums or health systems, the long-term costs could be detrimental for patients.

Insurance companies wield too much power when it comes to deciding what care patients get when they visit their doctors. In a state that ranks at the top of the pack with regard to the number of residents who have no insurance, it's important that those who do get the care their providers believe is best and necessary.

Senate Bill 509, authored by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, puts and end to this practice and qualms many concerns. When a health insurance plan restricts prescription drug coverage pursuant to a step therapy protocol, the insurance provider must provide a process for a step therapy exception.

Dealing with a chronic illness is difficult enough without actuarial analysts running interference between patients and their physicians. We applaud bipartisan support for step therapy reform we witnessed in the Legislature, and we are pleased the governor followed through by affixing his signature on these bills.