California is the front line in the war over patient-centric care and cost-based controls. And the present battle engagement is over Assembly Bill 1826 and “fail first/step therapy”
According to a report in the Sacramento Bee, insurance interests are lobbying state senators to reject the proposal.
“In letters, insurance associations and companies also contend that step therapy is a good idea because employees of health plans are often in a better position than patients' doctors to know the risks of drug interaction.”
Blue Shield of California also wrote, "step-therapy protocols also act as a check-and-balance to the cozy relationship that exists between many physicians and drug companies."
This from the industry that spiffs physicians with monetary incentives when they switch patients from innovator to generic medicines.
The group's letter says plans consult "expert opinion" and federal research, while many doctors lack a procedure to get "the latest information" about proper drug dosages.
All those in favor of disempowering physicians in favor of insurance companies signify by saying “Oy!”
The complete Sacramento Bee story can be found here.
