K Evans

Chair and Members of the Committee, My name is Krysten Evans and I am writing in strong support of HB 1638. Step therapy too often forces patients to fail first before they can access the medication their doctor has already determined is medically necessary. It delays care. It prolongs suffering. And in many cases, it causes harm that could have been avoided. Insurance companies should not override clinical judgment with rigid, one-size-fits-all protocols. When a physician determines that a specific treatment is medically necessary, there must be a clear and timely path to bypass step therapy requirements. HB 1638 creates that pathway. It respects medical expertise and puts patient health first. This bill does not eliminate step therapy. It simply ensures that when it is inappropriate or dangerous, there is a mechanism to move past it quickly. That is reasonable. That is compassionate. And that is common sense. No one should be forced to get sicker just to prove they deserve the right medication. I urge you to support HB 1638.