Liston Introduces Legislation to Help People Keep Access to Essential Medications

Today, state Senators Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) announced the introduction of legislation to prohibit non-medical switching. 

“People should be able to get medication they need at an expected and affordable price,” said Senator Liston. “Insurance companies shouldn’t be able to unexpectedly change coverage or force people to switch to a different medicine. This bill will prohibit this unfair practice that hurts Ohioans.” 

Non-medical switching is when an insurance provider forces a patient to switch from their current medication to a different, often less expensive, medication for reasons wholly unrelated to the patient’s health. 

As the law currently stands, people might choose an insurance plan during open enrollment because their medication is covered, but their health insurers can change the coverage of that medicine at any time. This legislation’s goal is to prohibit this practice, which is harmful to patients.