CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · H.R. 5509· House(119-HR-5509)

Safe Step Act

Rep. Allen
Age: 75 years
Georgia
Introduced
9/19/2025
Last activity
9/19/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sponsored by
Rick Allen
Cosponsors
Republican - 56Democrat - 113
Health
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The Safe Step Act seeks to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This bill requires group health plans or health insurance issuers that use medication step therapy protocols to provide a specific exceptions process. It mandates a clear, prompt, and transparent way for participants, beneficiaries, or their prescribers to request an exception to these protocols. The bill outlines specific circumstances that would qualify for an exception, such as ineffective previous treatments or risks of severe consequences. Additionally, it establishes strict timelines for how quickly insurance plans must respond to these requests.

Yes· 3 of 27

  • Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7

    Reduces barriers to necessary medications by streamlining the exception process for step therapy.

  • Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+6

    Directly addresses barriers to medications for people whose conditions make standard step therapy harmful or ineffective.

  • Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5

    High likelihood of benefit for seniors who often manage multiple comorbidities requiring specific non-preferred drugs.

The opposite

  • Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2

    Requires the disclosure of private medical records to insurance companies to qualify for medication exceptions.

  • Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2

    May require patients to disclose sensitive medical history and records to insurance plans to obtain exceptions.

  • Would business owners be better off under this?-1

    May increase administrative costs for employers managing group health plans.