Advocacy Takes Guts, Part 1: Why Prior Authorization Reform Can’t Wait

Summary: Doctors who treat stomach and bowel issues are heading to Washington, D.C., to fight for their patients. Right now, insurance companies are forcing patients to jump through hoops to get the medicine they need. This is called "prior authorization" and "step therapy."

Insurers often make patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) try older, cheaper drugs and wait for them to fail before paying for the better, modern treatments. Doctors say this is dangerous. In fact, 83% of these doctors say insurance delays have caused their patients to end up in the hospital! The doctors are asking Congress to pass the Safe Step Act, which would make it easier for patients to get the right medicine without the dangerous wait. You can help by calling your lawmakers and asking them to support the bill.

For more details, see gi at gi.org/2026/03/27/advocacy-takes-guts-part-1-why-prior-authorization-reform-cant-wait/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=advocacy-takes-guts-part-1-why-prior-authorization-reform-cant-wait (opens in new tab)