INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Advanced cancer patients in Indiana could soon gain faster access to prescription medications under legislation moving through the Statehouse.

House Bill 1114 passed the House Insurance Committee and would prohibit insurers from requiring step therapy, also known as “fail first,” for patients with advanced cancer. The practice forces patients to try less expensive treatments before insurers approve the medication prescribed by their doctor.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, the bill’s author, said the proposal ensures patients receive the treatment their physician determines is medically necessary without delays caused by insurance requirements, according to testimony before the committee.

The bill would apply specifically to advanced cancer cases, where treatment timing can be critical. Supporters argue that step therapy can postpone access to potentially life-saving drugs.

House Bill 1114 now moves to the full Indiana House for further debate and possible passage, according to the Indiana General Assembly.