SB2367 • 2026

Health insurance plans prohibited from certain conditions for metastatic cancer patients; delete repealer.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER NO. 379, LAWS OF 2024, AND TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 83-9-8.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON THE STATUTE PROHIBITING HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS OR POLICIES FROM REQUIRING THE ENROLLEE TO UNDERGO STEP THERAPY BEFORE RECEIVING CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO TREAT ADVANCED METASTATIC CANCER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Michel, Gillespie Isom
Last action: 2026-03-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: Passage

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee, so its provisions are not currently enforceable.

Health Insurance Plans Can't Require Step Therapy for Advanced Cancer Drugs

This bill stops health insurance plans from requiring patients with advanced metastatic cancer to try other drugs before getting specific prescription drugs approved by the FDA.

What This Bill Does

Removes a rule that lets health insurance companies require people with advanced cancer to try different medicines first before getting specific drugs.
Defines 'advanced, metastatic cancer' as when cancer spreads from its original site to nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
Explains what 'associated conditions' are, which means symptoms or side effects that make a patient's health worse if not treated.

Who It Names or Affects

People with advanced metastatic cancer who need specific prescription drugs.
Health insurance companies and their policies in Mississippi.

Terms To Know

Step Therapy: A process where a patient must try one or more less expensive medications before getting the prescribed medication.
Advanced, Metastatic Cancer: Cancer that has spread from its original location to other parts of the body.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It only applies to specific drugs approved by the FDA for treating advanced cancer or related conditions.

Bill History

2026-03-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-02-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/16 (H) Referred To Insurance
2026-02-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/11 (S) Transmitted To House
2026-02-10 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/10 (S) Passed
2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Title Suff Do Pass
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Insurance

Official Summary Text

Health insurance plans prohibited from certain conditions for metastatic cancer patients; delete repealer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2367 *SS26/R863* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS26/R863
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)

To: Insurance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Michel, Gillespie Isom

SENATE BILL NO. 2367

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER NO. 379, LAWS OF 2024, AND 1
TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 83-9-8.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 2
DELETE THE REPEALER ON THE STATUTE PROHIBITING HEALTH INSURANCE 3
PLANS OR POLICIES FROM REQUIRING THE ENROLLEE TO UNDERGO STEP 4
THERAPY BEFORE RECEIVING CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO TREAT 5
ADVANCED METASTATIC CANCER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. Section 3, Chapter No. 379, Laws of 2024, (House 8
Bill No. 1143) is amended as follows: 9
Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and 10
after July 1, 2024 * * *. 11
SECTION 2. Section 83-9-8.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 12
brought forward as follows: 13
83-9-8.1. (1) As used in this section, the following terms 14
shall be defined as provided in this subsection: 15
(a) "Associated conditions" means the symptoms or side 16
effects associated with advanced, metastatic cancer or its 17
treatment and which, in the judgment of the health care 18
practitioner, further jeopardizes the health of a patient if left 19
untreated. 20
S. B. No. 2367 *SS26/R863* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS26/R863
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
ST: Health insurance plans prohibited from
certain conditions for metastatic cancer
patients; delete repealer.
(b) "Advanced, metastatic cancer" means cancer that has 21
spread from the primary or original site of the cancer to nearby 22
tissues, lymph nodes, or other areas or parts of the body. 23
(c) "Health benefit plan" means a policy, contract, 24
certificate or agreement entered into, offered by or issued by an 25
insurer to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for or reimburse any 26
of the costs of health care services. 27
(2) A health benefit plan that provides coverage for 28
advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions may not 29
require, before the health benefit plan provides coverage of a 30
prescription drug approved by the United States Food and Drug 31
Administration, that the enrollee: 32
(a) Fail to successfully respond to a different drug; 33
or 34
(b) Prove a history of failure of a different drug. 35
(3) This section applies only to a drug the use of which is: 36
(a) Consistent with best practices for the treatment of 37
advanced, metastatic cancer or an associated condition; 38
(b) Supported by peer-reviewed, evidence-based 39
literature; and 40
(c) Approved by the United States Food and Drug 41
Administration. 42
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 43
and after its passage. 44