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HB 856

Advanced, metastatic cancer; delete repealer on prohibition against health plans requiring step therapy before covering certain drugs to treat.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Felsher

HB 856 permanently prohibits Mississippi health insurers from requiring step therapy before covering advanced/metastatic cancer drugs, preventing treatment delays for terminal patients.

Referred To Public Health and Human Services
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Bill Summary · HB 856

Legislative bill overview

HB 856 would eliminate a scheduled repeal of Mississippi's prohibition against health insurance plans requiring step therapy (trying cheaper drugs first) before covering advanced and metastatic cancer treatments. The bill essentially makes permanent the current rule that prevents insurers from delaying coverage of specified cancer drugs through step therapy protocols.

Why is this important

Cancer patients with advanced or metastatic disease face time-sensitive treatment decisions where delays can significantly impact survival and quality of life. This bill addresses whether insurance companies can require patients to fail on less expensive treatments before accessing their doctor's preferred medication, which patient advocates argue wastes critical time in aggressive cancers.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost vs. Access trade-off: Insurers argue step therapy controls healthcare costs by ensuring appropriate medication use; patient advocates counter that delays for terminal patients are medically and ethically problematic
  • Drug selection scope: Ambiguity about which drugs and cancer types qualify for this exemption—too narrow limits patient access, too broad increases insurance costs
  • Market impact: Removing step therapy requirements may increase insurance premiums for all Mississippi residents to cover faster access to expensive cancer medications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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