An Act Regarding Coverage For Step Therapy For Advanced Metastatic Cancer
LD 178 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients with advanced metastatic cancer or related symptoms (like severe side effects from cancer or treatment) to try and fail on other drugs before covering an FDA-approved treatment. It applies to health plans that cover these conditions and directly affects patients seeking timely access to necessary medications. The law ensures coverage for FDA-approved drugs that align with medical guidelines and evidence-based practice, eliminating a common step therapy barrier. This change removes delays in accessing approved treatments without altering insurance coverage requirements for other conditions.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed Jul 1, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Jul 1, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.
upper
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-272) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.
upper
May 23, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM
legislature
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES in concurrence
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kristi Mathieson
DDemocratic
Co
Denise Tepler
DDemocratic
Co
Sally Cluchey
DDemocratic
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