Assembly Bill 54 aims to amend the statutes related to the Medical Assistance program by creating a new provision that prohibits the Department of Health Services (DHS) from imposing utilization management controls on antipsychotic prescription drugs that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Utilization management controls are techniques used to assess the medical necessity and appropriateness of prescription drugs, which can include prior authorization and step therapy protocols. The bill seeks to ensure that individuals receiving Medical Assistance, particularly those requiring antipsychotic medications, have better access to these essential drugs without additional bureaucratic hurdles.

The new legal language introduced in the bill defines "utilization management controls" and specifies that the DHS cannot impose such controls on FDA-approved antipsychotic medications. This change is intended to enhance the availability of necessary treatments for individuals with mental health conditions, thereby improving their overall health outcomes. The bill has been introduced by a group of representatives and senators and has been referred to the Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care for further consideration.