Congress encouraged to back legislation for migraine treatment.

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Healthcare advocates are pressing Congress to enact three bills aimed at improving our understanding and treatment of migraines. At the forefront of these efforts is the Safe Step Act, which seeks to modify common insurance practices known as "step therapy" to better serve patients with complex conditions like migraines.

Julienne Verdi, executive director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, emphasized the urgency of passing this legislation. She noted that the organization has dedicated significant efforts this year to advancing the Safe Step Act before the end of the year.

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"Step therapy" refers to insurance policies that require patients to attempt less expensive medications before receiving the more costly treatments prescribed by their doctors. While some insurers adopted this practice to manage costs, healthcare professionals and advocates argue that bypassing this process leads to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare resource utilization.

Jessica Ailani, director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center, highlighted the benefits of avoiding step therapy. She explained that effective treatment can reduce the frequency of doctor visits, ultimately leading to improved overall health management.

In addition to the Safe Step Act, advocates are promoting the Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act, introduced by Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa). This bill mandates that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collect, publish, and analyze population health data on chronic pain.

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Migraines, according to Verdi, are significantly underfunded. Clearer data on the prevalence of headache disorders could lead to increased research funding, which is crucial for advancing migraine treatment options.

The third bill advocated by headache disorder supporters is The Connect for Health Act. This legislation aims to make permanent the telehealth Medicare flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advocates argue that telehealth expands access to migraine and headache specialists, particularly beneficial given the lengthy waiting lists for in-person appointments. Verdi, who personally experiences migraines, praised telehealth for allowing her to seek medical attention during debilitating episodes when driving becomes unsafe due to visual disturbances.

These legislative initiatives demonstrate the ongoing efforts to address the complexities of migraine treatment and improve patient access to specialized care.