South Carolina State Senator Michael Johnson of District 16 participated in the latest monthly coalition call hosted by the State Access to Innovative Medicine (SAIM), providing an update on his legislative efforts to address issues related to prior authorization and step therapy. The legislation, Senate Bill 531, has a House companion bill, HB 4562, sponsored by Rep. Sessions.
Senator Johnson, an attorney representing Lancaster and York Counties, shared a personal connection to the bill, which aims to reform the frustrating and often burdensome prior authorization process faced by healthcare providers and patients. During the call, Carolyn Sheridan, Co-Chair of SAIM and representative of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), introduced Johnson, who emphasized the significance of this legislation to his personal and professional life.
“I’ve experienced firsthand how the current system can impede patient care,” Johnson said. “Doctors should be able to practice medicine, and insurance companies should honor the treatments they agree to cover.” He described the upcoming legislative year as a “year of education,” with the hope that the bill will gain momentum and see progress during the next two-year session cycle beginning in 2027.
Senator Johnson expressed openness to using SAIM as a resource to support the bill, emphasizing the importance of educating fellow lawmakers and sharing patient and provider stories to illustrate the real-world impact of prior authorization barriers. He indicated that the House chamber is expected to be more receptive to this issue in 2026, with the House companion bill likely to gain more attention from committees.
Sarah Lanford from the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) asked how supporters could effectively bolster the legislation. Johnson responded that sharing their stories with elected officials is a powerful way to advocate for change. SAIM plans to continue providing support for the legislation in both chambers and to coordinate efforts among stakeholders.
Senator Johnson’s involvement signals a sustained legislative focus on improving access to necessary treatments and reducing administrative delays for patients. With bipartisan and cross-stakeholder support, the bill’s advocates remain optimistic about its prospects in the upcoming legislative sessions.
