2018 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
February 8, 2018
There were two bills in the legislature that would limit the use of “step therapy.” Step therapy is a protocol in health insurance companies of mandating less expensive medications before trying more expensive medications, regardless of the direction of the prescribing doctor. The proposals attempted to insert protections for people for whom the less expensive medications were ineffective. Both bills were defeated.
HB 386 (Davis) would have required health insurance plans to develop procedures, based on specific clinical guidelines, for when a lower cost medication can be required and how a prescribing physician can override the step protocols. Supporters believe that requiring individuals to “step” up, gradually, to more expensive medications is harmful especially to some people with mental illness and to others with disabilities. This bill was defeated in a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor.
SB 574 (DeSteph) was the Senate companion to HB 386 above. It was approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, but was then sent to Senate Finance for review. The bill had a potential fiscal impact on state employee health insurance plans. Senate Finance decided to carry the bill over to 2019, effectively defeating the bill for this session.
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.
The disAbility law Center of Virginia is monitoring developments in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities. We are available to educate policymakers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.