April 19, 2019

Working for you!

Common Sense Exceptions to Step Therapy

On Wednesday, we held a joint Health Committee hearing with our Senate colleagues on Assembly Bill 24, which implements common sense exceptions to step therapy imposed on physicians by insurance companies.

Insurers often require doctors use a series of alternative treatments before they can provide their patient with the drug they originally prescribed. This “step therapy” process can disregard a patient’s medical history or need for a specific drug. AB 24 puts in place five specific situations in which a physician may go around step therapy:

1. The patient has tried the required prescription drug while under their current or previous health insurance or health benefit plan, or another prescription drug in the same pharmacologic class or with the same mechanism of action and such prescription drug was discontinued due to lack of efficacy or effectiveness, diminished effect, or an adverse event.

2. The required drug is expected to be ineffective based on the known clinical characteristics of the patient and the known characteristics of the prescription drug regimen.

3. The required prescription drug is not in the best interest of the patient, based on medical necessity.

4. The patient is stable on a prescription drug selected by their health care provider for the medical condition under consideration while on a current or previous health insurance or health benefit plan.

5. The required prescription drug is contraindicated or will likely cause an adverse reaction by or physical or mental harm to the patient.

You can watch the hearing by clicking on the image above.

Happy Easter!

Project Lead the Way

 Students of the STEM Academy at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton visited the Capitol on Tuesday for Project Lead the Way Day at the Capitol.

Project Lead the Way helps schools provide hands on curricula in engineering, computer science, aerospace, and biomedical health.

I'm pictured with students Debbie Brink, John Mertz, Wesley Jochman, George McCray.

Wesley and George sharing the password app they developed.

New Legislation

Here is the legislation I've authored or co-sponsored since my last update. Click on the links to learn more about each bill or resolution:

Assembly Bill 162
Participation in the Volunteer Health Care Provider program by agencies serving homeless individuals.

Assembly Bill 157
Law enforcement and fire fighter annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer and granting rule-making authority.

Assembly Bill 160
Segregated fees for part-time students at University of Wisconsin System schools.

Assembly Bill 161
Late payment of tuition benefits for student veterans enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college.

Assembly Bill 152
Sexual contact with an animal and providing a penalty.

Assembly Bill 153
Adding a circuit court branch in Adams, Calumet, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Sawyer, Vilas, and Waushara counties.

Assembly Joint Resolution 27
Recognizing April 2019 as Deaf History Month in Wisconsin.

Assembly Joint Resolution 25
Congratulating the University of Wisconsin-Madison women's hockey team for winning the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship title.

Assembly Joint Resolution 23
Honoring the public service of Michael Leckrone.

Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website or  https://appletondowntown.org/upcoming-events/ and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.