The Massachusetts legislature completed, and Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed into law the state budget — HB (House Bill) 5500, which included several provisions of interest to pharmacies.
Mandatory Reporting by PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) for State Agency Managed Care Contracts. The report must be filed with the Legislature by February 15, 2023, on the financial performance of the managed care and accountable care organizations, as well as their effectiveness in serving the MassHealth recipients.
Funding for Public Awareness Campaign Relative to Prescriptions for Contraceptives
Funding for Programs to Combat Opioid Addiction
Expanding Protection for Reproductive Rights – This law provides legal protections for Massachusetts health care providers, including pharmacists, from prosecution by out-of-state jurisdictions for legally protected health care and reproductive health care services and products, including contraceptives, provided in Massachusetts to out-of-state residents. This language protects these providers from criminal prosecution and associated civil lawsuits from states that prohibit access to legal health care and reproductive health services and products. This bill also provides for one statewide standing order to be issued to authorize the dispensing of emergency contraception by licensed pharmacists. This language would replace
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.