Mental health advocates have concerns about a bill passed by Kansas lawmakers and signed by Governor Sam Brownback last Monday. The bill requires doctors to try cheaper drugs before more expensive ones for Medicaid recipients.
Dr. Patrick Stang at the Center for Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend was concerned about this approach because prescribing the wrong drug can have severe consequences with mentally ill patients.
Patrick Stang Audio
The process, called step therapy, is common in many private and public health insurance plans. The move was key to resolving budget issues because it would reduce the state’s cost of providing health care for poor residents by nearly $11 million a year.
Dr. Stang says this plan could potentially cost the state more money.
Patrick Stang Audio
Lawmakers who supported the bill say adequate safeguards are in place and that mental health advocates want an unfair exemption from a common practice that many insured patients face.