Oklahoma
The Legislature will convene on February 2 and is scheduled to adjourn on May 29.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The state received $197.3 million in 2026 to improve rural healthcare and could receive more in the following four years. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will invest the federal funding in community-driven projects that improve healthcare access, boost chronic disease management and prevention, grow and sustain the healthcare workforce and expand the use of health technology and data in the state’s rural and frontier communities. OHA will move as fast as possible to distribute funding and plans to make two sets of awards in quick succession during 2026. Oregon initially requested $200 million annually, or a total of $1 billion over five years, from the federal program. OHA will scale down its original proposal to fit its given budget.
Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy, especially individuals with knowledge and experience in health care and prescription drug payment systems. The board consists of eight members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Members serve four years and can seek reappointment. The time commitment is about 15 hours per month, including virtual board meetings held on the third Wednesday each month. The new member will begin serving in mid-2026. Applicants should apply through Workday by January 30.
Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the January 21 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.
Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued the following statement: West Coast Health Alliance continues to endorse AAP [American Academy of Pediatrics]-recommended child, adolescent immunization schedules.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
The Board of Pharmacy’s proposed Licensure by Endorsement Rule was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on December 20, 2025. The rule will permanently implement the expedited licensure process required by Act 34 of 2025. NACDS and the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS) helped advance the law to allow pharmacies to more easily manage increased prescription volume following Rite Aid’s closure.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
TennCare is continuing the process of reviewing all covered drug classes. Changes to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) occur as new classes are reviewed, and previously reviewed classes are revisited. As a result of these changes, some medications your patients are taking may be considered non-preferred agents in the future. Please inform your patients who are on these medications that switching to preferred products will decrease delays in receiving their medications. We encourage you to share this information with other TennCare providers. The individual changes to the PDL are listed below. The new PDL will be posted on January 1, 2026. For details on clinical criteria, please visit OptumRx/TennCare and click on “Criteria PDL” under “Useful Links”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
Insurance Commissioner Cassie Brown announced that she will be retiring on February 2, after more than four years of leading the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
Also in Texas, the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Board announced that they are sending a Request for Information (RFI) to companies that believe they can operate a single PBM for the 1.4 million state beneficiaries covered by public higher education insurance, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the Texas Criminal and Juvenile Justice systems and other individuals served by the Health and Human Services Commission. TPI’s plan is due on Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) desk by June 1, 2026.
Finally in Texas, the legislature is not in session in 2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the state’s first-year award for the Rural Health Transformation Program from CMS totaling $195,743,566.
Work is underway to support implementation, and DHHS will share the next steps as they are finalized. As the state legislature appropriates funding, the state will begin the process of making awards for the initiatives that will serve rural communities. For questions or to join the contact list for updates, email ruralht@utah.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Washington
The Health Care Authority (HCA) Office of Health Professions submitted to the Legislature the Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Sunrise report on December 19, 2025. This was provided in response to the request of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee last spring, directing the Department of Health to review a proposal to increase the pharmacist scope of practice to assess whether it meets the sunrise criteria in RCW 18.120.010. The request would allow the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, the authority to regulate licensed pharmacist prescribing outside of a collaborative agreement.
Also in Washington, the 2026 first-quarter Preferred Drug List (PDL) utilized by Uniform Medical Plan and the Department of Labor and Industry for worker’s compensation claims was posted by the Health Care Authority (HCA).
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that the Apple Health (Medicaid) provider enrollment application fee for 2026 increased to $750.00.
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) published quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides, effective January 1, 2026.
Also in Washington, in response to recent flooding, the HCA authorized Apple Health (Medicaid) Fee-for-Service pharmacy providers to furnish medications and supplies to clients, as needed, if such products have been lost, destroyed or have become inaccessible due to flood-related conditions.
Also in Washington, Apple Health Fee-for-Service (FFS) does not have an electronic pharmacy prior authorization (PA) system and does not contract with healthcare software companies that offer automated PA solutions.
How to submit a PA for FFS:
Drug coverage and billing guidelines:
- Apple Health Preferred Drug List (PDL)
- Apple Health (Medicaid) drug coverage criteria (clinical policies)
- Provider billing guides and fee schedules
Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) and Department of Health (DOH) released a new resource library to help healthcare providers and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel build knowledge and confidence to prescribe and administer medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) study found that MOUD like buprenorphine and methadone can help manage opioid withdrawals and cravings and cut opioid-related deaths by half. Yet, these medications remain underused across the medical community. The new MOUD resource library gives Washington providers practical, easy-to-follow guidance for discussing and providing MOUD to their patients, which helps break down common barriers to treatment like stigma and lack of information. HCA and DOH also launched an awareness campaign to connect providers to training, clinical support and patient education materials.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Board of Pharmacy seeks to remind affected licensees about Proposition 34, a ballot initiative that was approved by the voters in November 2024. Proposition 34 added the Protect Patients Now Act of 2024 (Act) to the Welfare and Institutions Code (see sections 14124.39-14124.52). Among its provisions, the Act establishes requirements for a “Prescription Drug Price Manipulator” (as defined in subdivision (l) of WIC section 14124.48) to report specified information to certain agencies, including the Board, by no later than December 31, 2025.
Additional information about Proposition 34 is available online.
Public comments related to the Act, and information relating to entities that qualify as Prescription Drug Price Manipulators, may be submitted to Prop34@dca.ca.gov.
Also in California, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11161.7(b), the Board of Pharmacy is distributing an October 22, 2025 list of prescribers whose authority to prescribe controlled substances has been restricted by the Medical Board of California. The Board of Pharmacy is making this information available to prevent the dispensing of prescriptions for controlled substances issued by restricted prescribers.
Also in California, NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the Board of Pharmacy (Board) will hold a hearing to receive public comments on a petition received related to Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1709.1, Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge.
The public hearing will be held on January 6, 2026, beginning at 9:00 am in the first floor Hearing Room of the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Additionally, attendees may participate via the WebEx meeting platform. To participate via WebEx, please use the following link: WebEx Link or https://dca-meetings.webex.com/dca-meetings/j.php?MTID=m1240449cdb3802fe4e363f663d60bb6e
If joining using the link above
Webinar number: 2491 140 0958
Webinar password: CSBP16
If joining by phone
+1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 2491 140 0958
Passcode: 272716
To view and download the hearing materials, please visit the following link: Laws and Regulations or https://pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/index.shtml, and click on Hearing or https://pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/hearing.shtml.
Written comments may be submitted to PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov or to the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Written comments will be accepted through January 6, 2026. The public will also be able to provide public comment when prompted during the hearing.
Requests for further information should be directed to the Board at (916) 518-3090 or PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov, or by writing to the California State Board of Pharmacy, located at 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy, Board of Registered Nursing, Physician Assistant Board, Medical Board of California, Osteopathic Medical Board of California and Dental Board of California licensees can now register to attend the joint forum. Spots are limited, register today at https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum/register.shtml.
Healthcare practitioners involved in prescribing or dispensing medications are invited to a forum on December 17 at California State University, Sacramento, focusing on clinical and practical challenges practitioners and patients face in accessing medications for opioid use disorder and other controlled substances used to manage pain. This is a virtual and in-person event.
Topics to be addressed include:
- Legal and regulatory requirements governing controlled substances.
- Communication and collaboration between prescribers and dispensers.
- Reducing stigma and barriers to care for patients with chronic pain or substance use disorder.
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: Wednesday, December 17
- Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Location: California State University, Sacramento
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Register today at https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum/register.shtml. Attendance is capped at 32 in-person participants per Board and 83 virtual participants per Board. Further event details will be provided after registering. Please note that this event is not open to the general public.
WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO: Visit https://www.dca.ca.gov/jointforum for updates.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please review the numerous upcoming changes to Medi-Cal Rx.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
- November 2025 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
- November 2025 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
The Department of Health, Division of Disease Control, scheduled a public meeting and workshop to discuss proposed revisions to Rule 64D-3.046 of the Florida Administrative Code, which governs immunization requirements for school entry. The session will take place on December 12 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time, or until all business is concluded. The meeting will be held at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach, in The Dunes Conference Room, located at 15727 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, Florida. Additional details are available in the official notice posted at the Florida Administrative Register.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.