To the Editor:

As a central Wisconsin family physician, I, like many of my patients, have been frustrated by the complex drug approval system used by many insurers. These step therapy protocols require patients to try and fail insurer-selected medications before the medications selected by a physician can be prescribed. This often makes it difficult for patients to obtain the treatment they need in a timely manner. Such delays can have very detrimental effects on health.

In a significant step in the right direction, the state legislature is currently considering bipartisan legislation to restore the voices of physicians and patients in the step therapy process. These bills were written with the input of patients, physicians, and insurers. I would like to thank Sen. Patrick Testin for helping to unanimously pass this bill through the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. I want to commend him for advocating for a system that allows patients, physicians, and insurers to work together to improve the health of citizens both here and throughout Wisconsin.

Robert Sander, MD
Stevens Point

Member of the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians