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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. Gundrum authors Wisconsin Assembly bill to ease antipsychotic drug access

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Rick Gundrum, Wisconsin State Representative for 58th District | Official Website

Rick Gundrum, Wisconsin State Representative for 58th District | Official Website

A new bill authored by State Rep. Rick Gundrum proposes to ease access to antipsychotic drugs by limiting utilization management controls under the Medical Assistance program, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits the Wisconsin Department of Health Services from imposing utilization management controls on antipsychotic prescription drugs that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under the Medical Assistance program. Utilization management controls are formal techniques used by health carriers to assess the necessity, appropriateness, efficacy, or efficiency of prescription drugs, which can include prior authorization and step therapy protocols. By removing these controls for antipsychotic medications, the bill seeks to ease access to these drugs for individuals receiving assistance through the program.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Brent Jacobson (Republican-87th District), Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Representative Shae A. Sortwell (Republican-2nd District), and Representative David Steffen (Republican-4th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District) and Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District).

Rick Gundrum has co-authored or authored another 21 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Gundrum graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Washington County with an AS and again from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BS.

Gundrum, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2018 to represent the state's 58th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Bob Gannon.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Rick Gundrum in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB5402/24/2025Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
AB1202/06/2025State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE)

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