Comments Document

Please see attached written comments in support of HB2258 and HB2773 from the Infusion Access Foundation.

Comments Document

Please see attached document outlining the National Infusion Center Association's support for HB 2258 and HB 2773.

Comments Document

Dear Chair Ward and Members of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, I’m writing in support of HB 2258 on behalf of ZERO Prostate Cancer, the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all those who are impacted, and on behalf of the patients and patient advocates we represent. When medically inappropriate, step therapy delays access to needed care and can lead to severe or irreversible health outcomes for patients. Most Americans receive insurance through their employer, and it is important to establish a meaningful step therapy exception process for this segment to ensure timely access to medically necessary care. Payer-mandated step therapy protocols are included in employer plans and research has shown that they often conflict with clinical guidelines, increase overall healthcare spending, and delay access to needed care. HB 2258 requires the Virginia Bureau of Insurance to collect and study data on oncology step therapy protocols and the time frame for final decisions regarding step therapy. Since the study commissioned by HB 2258 would provide insight into the impact step therapy has on cancer outcomes and what policy solutions would improve outcomes for patients, ZERO Prostate Cancer recommends passage of HB 2258. Please follow up with georgia@zerocancer.org with any questions.