To the editor:

As a rheumatologist, I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating my early career has been. From being forced to work remotely for one year because of a hospital’s non-compete rule (despite our nation’s doctor shortage) to dealing with the persistent and evolving insurance barriers, I have clearly seen that our health system is broken.

During my non-compete year, I had the opportunity to advocate with the American College of Rheumatology in Washington, D.C. The visit opened my eyes to the need for insurance reform, especially for patients who rely on specialty medications, and the lack of congressional urgency to address broad healthcare issues. Insurance barriers like prior authorizations and opaque pharmacy benefit rules delay care and drive up costs. These policies harm patients who need timely treatment to stay healthy and independent. They also frustrate doctors, taking up hours of time that could be spent with patients instead of paperwork. Moreover, whenever an insurance inappropriately denies or delays care, no legal mechanisms of accountability exist.

We can and should demand a system that puts patients, not red tape, at the center. When will policymakers wake up and address our broken system?

Joshy Pathiparampil

St. Louis County