WI Governor Tony Evers Signs Step Therapy Bill with Arthritis Foundation Advocates Looking On
On July 9th, 2019, Wisconsin joined the ranks of 27 states that have passed legislation to curb step therapy. This legislation places important guardrails to protect patients from the inappropriate use of burdensome step therapy protocols making patients “fail first” before they can take the medication originally prescribed.
This would not have happened without our WI Step Therapy Coalition partners and the amazing arthritis Advocates and Ambassadors that stepped up to share their stories through testimony, public media, phone calls and in-person legislative visits in Madison. It was the enthusiasm of our Arthritis Foundation storytellers that helped move the legislation through the system to victory in one session.
On the day of the joint step therapy hearing of the House and Senate Health Committees, five testimonies were heard from Advocates with arthritis. One of those testifying wasStephanie Block, Arthritis Foundation Ambassador and Advocacy Committee member. Stephanie also appeared in a television interview.
“This legislation provides continuity of care and if a patient is receiving a positive therapeutic outcome, they will be able to remain on their therapy. Had this been law before, I would not have missed time by being hospitalized for stepping through a drug that we knew wouldn’t work.”
AdvocateDonny Diehlalso attended the WI Step Therapy Day and testified before the joint committees.
“It’s time to stop this hurting and start the healing. I want to thank the legislative sponsors, insurers, health care providers and patients for coming together. Thank you for hearing our stories and working with the WI legislature to ensure proper step therapy reform Thank you Senator Darling and Rep. Nygren for bringing this very important legislation to the legislature. This will bring greater health care access for Wisconsinites and make us healthier.”
Donny summed up the reasons we fight for legislation like step therapy – better access to care and medications leading ultimately to healthier Wisconsinites.
You’ve done a great job in Wisconsin, but don’t stop there
请帮助我们在联邦一级提高对逐步治疗改革重要性的认识。请你们的国会议员支持安全步骤法案。
