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Bill > HB944
MS HB944
MS HB944Advanced, metastatic cancer; extend and codify repealer on prohibition against health plans requiring step therapy before covering certain drugs to treat.
summary
Introduced
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Reenact Section 83-9-8.1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Prohibits A Health Benefit Plan From Requiring Step Therapy Or Fail-first Protocols Before The Plan Provides Coverage Of Certain Prescription Drugs To Treat Advanced, Metastatic Cancer And Associated Conditions; To Reenact Section 83-9-36, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Prescribes The Process By Which A Prescribing Practitioner May Request An Override Of An Insurer's Restriction On Medication For Use By A Step Therapy Or Fail-first Protocol; To Amend Reenacted Sections 83-9-8.1 And 83-9-36, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Codify And Extend The Date Of The Repealer On Those Sections Which Was Originally Enacted In The Effective Date Section Of The Enabling Legislation; To Amend Section 3, Chapter 379, Laws Of 2024, To Delete The Repealer On Sections 83-9-8.1 And 83-9-36, Mississippi Code Of 1972, From The Effective Date Section Of That Act; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill extends and codifies a prohibition against health plans requiring patients to try other medications first, known as "step therapy" or "fail-first protocols," before covering certain prescription drugs for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions, which are defined as symptoms or side effects that further jeopardize a patient's health if left untreated. It also reenacts and amends the process by which a doctor can request an override of these restrictions, specifying that an override must be granted if the doctor can demonstrate that the preferred drug has been ineffective or is likely to be ineffective or cause adverse reactions in the patient, based on sound clinical evidence. The bill also removes an earlier repeal date from a 2024 law, effectively extending the duration of these protections until July 1, 2029, and sets a new effective date for these provisions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0944.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0900-0999/HB0944IN.htm |
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