(September 2017) The Ohio Coalition for Step Therapy Reform held an "Advocacy Day" at the Statehouse, September 20, to lobby for passage of HB 72/SB 56.
The legislation does not prohibit managed care plans from requiring step therapy; rather, it requires step therapy to be evidence-based and protect the safety of the patient against contraindications and unnecessary changes when switching health care plans.
State Rep. Terry Johnson, DO (R-McDermott), is sponsor of HB 72, which has had several hearings. Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), sponsor of SB 56, announced hearings may begin in the Senate soon. Both legislators attended the event, which kicked-off with a panel of speakers followed by individual visits with legislators. The day also included advocacy efforts online, with multiple postings on Twitter and Facebook stressing the need for step therapy reform and explaining the practice.