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Week 8 (March 2-5 and legislative days 22-25) saw forward progress on several pieces of pharmacy related legislation.

HB 918; HB 946; and HB 947

The House passed all three of these bills this week almost unanimously with HB 946 receiving one no vote. They now make their way over to the senate for consideration. Please take the time to thank Reps. Knight and Cooper for their efforts in championing these pro-patient and pro-pharmacy pieces of legislation as well as your representative for their favorable vote.

SB 313

Senator Burke’s PBM bill passed out of the Senate unanimously this week as well. Their was an amendment on the floor which removed the requirement that PBMs pass along 100% of their rebates to plans and the prohibition on spread pricing practices. In place of those requirements, PBMs will be required to offer plans non-spread and 100% pass through options and will be required to report rebates and spread retained by PBMs. GPhA was involved in the crafting of this amendment. Please take the time to reach out to Senator Burke and thank him for his support and leadership as well as Senator Burt Jones who chaired the Insurance and Labor Committee and who was instrumental in the Senate’s passage of this legislation. Please also thank your Senator for their vote in favor of this bill.

Legislation introduced in week 8

SB 481

Introduced by Senator Brass, this legislation removes products approved by the FDA from the definitions of low THC oil, marijuana, and tetrahydrocannabinols.

Other previously introduced legislation

HB 888, Rep. Hawkins’ surprising billing legislation, passed the House and makes it way to the Senate.

HB 991, Rep. Hatchett’s bill creating the Healthcare Transparency and Accountability Oversight Committee, was favorably reported by the House Special Committee on Access to Quality Healthcare. GPhA testified in favor of this legislation and this legislation remains a GPhA priority to support.

SB 311, Sen. Kirkpatrick’s bill prohibiting kickbacks and patient brokering in connection with substance abuse providers was favorably reported by Senate HHS via substitute.

SB 391, Sen. Kirkpatrick’s legislation requiring insurers to cover early fills of medication during declared emergencies was favorably reported by the Senate HHS Committee.