Have you been affected by step therapy?

Last week, I had the opportunity to go tell my story to my lawmakers. Before last Thursday, I did not truly understand the impact I could have regarding our state laws. It was a fascinating look into our state policy.

The General Assembly of North Carolina was voting on House Bill 450, Reduce Barriers to Improve NC Health & Safety. One purpose of this bill is to ensure the proper administration of step therapy protocols for prescription drugs.

Participating in patient advocacy plays a much more important role than I ever realized. Lawmakers may have no connection to our concerns. If they haven’t previously struggled with a chronic illness that requires expensive medications, why would they have any knowledge of my experiences? If we, as patients, allow our voices to be heard, we know we’re working to improve the laws and create a better future for ourselves.

Advocacy Day was much more captivating than I ever imagined. I had an opportunity to meet people with similar interests. There were patients from multiple organizations – National Psoriasis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation along with several others. I had face to face meetings with my House Representative and my State Senator. Surprisingly to me, they were both interested in hearing my story.

If you would like more information on how to get involved in patient advocacy, I’d be happy to try to point you in the right direction. It’s rewarding to know you are part of the solution!

Have you been affected by step therapy? This video provides an informative and not boring explanation.