Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at streamlining access to prescription drugs that require a health plan’s approval. The process, known as prior authorization, currently necessitates physicians and other clinicians to navigate through extensive administrative procedures to provide their patients with the necessary prescription medicine, including life-saving treatment.

Senator Marshall commented on the situation: “As a practicing physician, I have personally witnessed how prior authorization can negatively impact patients and contribute to the workforce burnout and the resulting shortage we now face. This is not just my experience but a shared reality across all providers."

He further added, "That is why Congress must take meaningful steps to change the prior authorization process and cut out the hurdles that stand in the way of patients receiving the prescriptions they need. I’m honored to collaborate with Senators Lujan and Wicker to ensure working Americans receive timely access to their medications.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Luján said: “Getting a prescription shouldn’t be a complicated process. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to reduce barriers to care to save doctors and patients valuable time.”

The senators hope that this legislation will help address delays, allow patients to get their medications more efficiently, and save doctors time so they can spend more time with patients.

Senator Wicker noted: “The current prior authorization process is time-consuming for physicians and health care workers, putting the focus on paperwork not the patients.” He believes that digitalizing the process would save providers time and speed up patient care.

Senator Manchin expressed his pride in introducing this bipartisan Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act aiming at modernizing healthcare insurance systems across West Virginia and beyond.

“No Rhode Islander should have their medical treatment delayed because of bureaucratic red tape created by insurance companies,” Senator Whitehouse stated. He believes that the bipartisan legislation will streamline the prior authorization process, enabling patients to get their prescriptions faster.

This legislative proposal follows last week’s bipartisan Budget Committee hearing where panelists urged Congress to modernize prior authorization, including e-prescribing and standardization.