Life can transform in an instant when you’re diagnosed with a long-term illness.

A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would help patients with diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s or diabetes manage these changes by increasing access to the most effective treatments.

Before issuing doctor-prescribed medications, health insurance companies often require patients first to try a drug pre-selected by their health plans. This practice, called step therapy, can delay more effective treatment or increase risk factors and disease progression in the meantime. In fact, one in five patients is prevented from receiving any treatment at all because of step therapy.