爱荷华州关节炎社区庆祝布兰斯塔德州长于2017年5月10日签署众议院第233号文件。
The bill, unanimously passed by both chambers, puts limits on an insurance industry protocol known asstep therapywhich requires patients to try and fail medications identified by the insurance company before agreeing to cover medications prescribed by the treating physician. The bill will increase access to care for arthritis patients by limiting step therapy practices in Iowa.
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Passage of House File 233 was, in part, the direct result of passionate work by dedicated Arthritis Foundation volunteers who are members of our Advocate program. It all started in October 2016 at our Iowa Advocacy Day training. Participants learned about step therapy, how it affects access to care and how they could effectively tell their personal arthritis stories to help legislators better understand the devastating effects of arthritis and, more important, how they can help the arthritis community improve access to care.
来自爱荷华州阿德尔的塔利一家是参加2016年培训的众多家庭之一。苏珊娜·塔利(Suzanne Talley)分享了她6岁的儿子巴雷特(Barrett)是如何被要求遵循保险公司的步骤治疗方案的，在保险公司支付巴雷特的儿科风湿病医生最初开出的药物之前，她尝试了好几种药物，但都失败了。巴雷特最终接受了医生的治疗，现在病情有所缓解。
In January 2017, Barrett became our unofficial spokesperson for our Iowa legislative journey. Along with fellow Advocate Suzy Hider from Des Moines, Barrett and Suzanne testified on behalf of House File 233 in both the House and Senate, advocating that kids shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the medicine prescribed by their treating physician, unnecessarily prolonging the pain and advancement of their arthritis. They were joined by Representatives Fry, Moore, Lundgren and Mascher, and Senators Segebart, Greene, Shipley and Mathis who championed the bill throughout the legislative process.
Then in March, we coordinated an advocacy day at the Iowa state capitol to focus on the issue of step therapy. We were joined by representatives from a related coalition including Dr. Michael Brooks from the Rheumatology Association of Iowa. Additional Arthritis Foundation Advocates joined us and shared their personal stories with legislators. In total, we met with 15 legislators!
苏珊娜说:“当我们收到布兰斯塔德州长签署233号众议院文件成为法律的消息时，我们简直喜气洋洋。”“它将把治疗决定权交还给卫生保健专业人员。”
On behalf of the Iowa arthritis community, we want to thank all of our advocates and legislative champions for their work in achieving this significant win.
Learn more about our Advocate program!