Establishing restrictions on the use of step therapy protocols by health insurance plans.

HB 2526 prevents health insurance plans in Kansas from requiring patients with advanced, metastatic cancer to fail on or have a history of failure with other drugs before covering FDA-approved prescription medications. It directly affects cancer patients and their insurers by banning step therapy protocols for treatments aligned with medical best practices and supported by evidence-based research. The bill applies only to drugs approved by the FDA for advanced cancer or related conditions, ensuring insurers cannot delay coverage for medically appropriate treatments. This policy change aims to reduce unnecessary treatment delays for patients facing serious illness. The bill is currently in committee after introduction on January 23, 2026.