1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act of 2017 . 2. Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols (a) In general The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after section 715 of such Act ( 29 U.S.C. 1185d ) the following new section: 716. Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols (a) In general In the case of a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) that provides coverage of a prescription drug pursuant to a medication step therapy protocol, the plan or coverage shall— (1) implement a clear process for a participant or beneficiary (or the prescribing health care provider) to request an exception to such medication step therapy protocol; and (2) if such a request demonstrates through supporting documentation that any of the circumstances listed in subsection (b) exists, authorize coverage for the prescription drug without regard to such medication step therapy protocol. (b) Expedited approval The circumstances warranting an exception to a medication step therapy protocol, pursuant to a request under subsection (a), are any of the following: (1) The treatment otherwise required under the protocol, or a drug or drugs in the same pharmacological class, are contraindicated or have been ineffective in the treatment of the disease or condition of the participant or beneficiary. (2) The treatment otherwise required under the protocol is reasonably expected to be ineffective based upon— (A) the known physical or mental characteristics of the participant or beneficiary, including medical history