SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — In the state capitol Senators discussed a bill that could remove prior authorization from some life saving HIV medication.
Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday that the state’s goal of having zero new HIV cases by 2030 is within grasp.
Prior authorization is when doctors need the approval of insurance companies before they can prescribe drugs. The American Medical Association says insurance companies use prior authorization to save money.
The plan would remove prior authorization for pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and other similar medications.
Aces Lira with AIDS Foundation of Chicago said prior authorization can delay medication that could save lives.
"Medical advancements have made it so that HIV is preventable and treatable," Lira said. "Pre-exposure prophylaxis or HIV PrEP reduces the risk of HIV by 99% when it’s taken as prescribed."
GOP members said this proposal would not apply to Medicaid, which covers the vast majority of people with HIV. State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) said while true, Medicaid already has laws that help reduce the price of HIV medication.
Since this was a subject matter hearing, the bill was not voted on and is still in the Senate insurance committee.
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