Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Virginia

After an intense advocacy effort compressed into a 60-day legislative session, pharmacy scored a major victory in Richmond this session with the passage of SB 875 and HB 2610, companion Medicaid Managed Care PBM reform bills. The bills overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly in a bipartisan vote. The bills would require the Medicaid managed care plans to contract with a single PBM under terms set by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The contract would require:

clear statements of the PBM’s fiduciary duty to the state;

pass-through pricing;

a common formulary, reimbursement methodologies and dispensing fees negotiated by DMAS; and

transparency in drug pricing.

NACDS issued an NACDS RxIMPACT action alert and urges members with operations in the Commonwealth to contact Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to express how critical these bills are to patient access and pharmacy viability. Should he sign the bill, Virginia would join Ohio and Kentucky as the third state to reform PBM practices in Medicaid Managed Care under a single PBM.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2025-03-06T18:26:36-05:00March 6, 2025|Virginia|

Washington

HB 1520 and SB 5513, identical pharmacists’ scope expansion of practice bills, failed to get scheduled for a public hearing this session. To advance the independent authority legislation next session, pharmacies need to engage in the Sunrise Review process and submit support letters by April 1.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-03-06T18:26:01-05:00March 6, 2025|Washington|

Wyoming

On February 28, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 119, legislation to streamline and simplify professional and occupational licensure requirements for miliary service members or miliary spouses.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2025-03-06T18:25:35-05:00March 6, 2025|Uncategorized|

Arkansas

HB 1150 prohibits out-of-state PBMs from having in-state pharmacies, passed the Committee on Commerce and Insurance and is pending further action by the House.

Also in Arkansas SB 58, Act 52, is a new law approved on February 13, 2025, removes the prohibition for a nonprofit tax-exempt, or government-funded hospitals, to hold a licensed pharmacy permit.

Finally in Arkansas, HB 1442, is a patient freedom to choose their pharmacy and prevent anti-competitive practices bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on February 20.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:47:39-05:00February 20, 2025|Arkansas|

Arizona

NACDS submitted a letter of support to the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee for SB 1214, legislation expanding public access to pharmacy test and treat services. Additionally, NACDS, along with the American Pharmacists Association, Walgreens, and Walmart, submitted a letter of support to the Arizona Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee for Arizona SB 1214, legislation that would permit pharmacists to provide test and treat services for common illnesses, such as flu, strep throat, and other respiratory conditions. The bill passed out of the committee with a 5-2-0-0 vote.

Also in Arizona, NACDS submitted a letter of support to the House Health & Human Services Committee for HB 2208, legislation establishing a cost-based reimbursement rate floor that will provide pharmacies and pharmacists with long-overdue reimbursement predictability related to crucial healthcare services provided in local communities across the state. The bill passed out of the committee with a 9-0-2-0-0 vote.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:47:00-05:00February 20, 2025|Arizona|

California

The Board of Pharmacy announced the modification and/or extension of the waivers of Pharmacy Law issued in response to the Los Angeles Fires.

The waiver that provides flexibility to increase the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise has been modified and the expiration date has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver that provides flexibility for pharmacy personnel to perform some functions from outside of a licensed pharmacy has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver to allow for the delivery of drugs to an alternate location has been extended to March 31, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and a weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the 2025 prescription volume attestation survey will be available to providers March 1 through March 31. Also, to avoid mail delivery delays and save paper, Medi-Cal Rx encourages pharmacy providers to opt into receiving the Medi-Cal Rx remittance information via the Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) format.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2025-03-06T19:02:32-05:00February 20, 2025|California|

Connecticut

On February 20, 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Services held a hearing on several bills, including H6101, An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage of Food as Medicine and Expanding Access to the Connecticut Farmers’ Market/Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. NACDS testified and submitted testimony in coordination with the Connecticut Chain Pharmacy Council and the Connecticut Food Association.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:45:19-05:00February 20, 2025|Connecticut|

Indiana

SB 96, immunization legislation NACDS supports because it removes the list of vaccines a pharmacist can administer, allowing them to provide any vaccine recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under a drug order, under a prescription, or according to a protocol approved by a physician. The bill was amended, giving the Indiana Commissioner of Health the authority to remove a specific vaccination from the list of vaccines recommended and approved by the federal agencies, and then unanimously approved by the Senate.

Also in Indiana, NACDS rallied members to contact their senators to urge support for the rate floor bill that is scheduled for a Senate vote this week. SB 140 would establish a minimum dispensing reimbursement rate of NADAC plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the Medicaid Fee for Service fee, which is currently $10.64.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:44:38-05:00February 20, 2025|Indiana|

Iowa

NACDS sponsored and attended the recent Iowa Pharmacy Association’s (IPA) Pharmacy Day on the Hill that included 200 pharmacy professionals in Des Moines to advocate for PBM reform at the Iowa State Capitol. The comprehensive PBM reform bill (HSB 99 / SSB 1074) passed out of subcommittee in the House and Senate and moves on to consideration by the full committees in both chambers as early as this week. IPA also hosted a PBM Reform Press Conference, revealing the latest poll data demonstrating resounding support for PBM reform among Iowans. These companion bills include important NACDS PBM reform legislative priorities including patient choice of pharmacy, anti-mandatory mail order, and commercial cost-based rate floor reimbursement methodology for the product and professional dispensing fee as published by the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise provider fee schedule. Also, a PBM cannot deny a pharmacy or pharmacist the right to participate as a contract provider under a plan if the pharmacy or pharmacist agrees to the terms and requirements of the plan and the terms of reimbursement.

Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2660-MC-FFS RE: Quantity Limit Update on Needles and Syringes effective March 1.

Finally in Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing’s Professional Health Committee – Pharmacy announced a meeting to be held on February 26.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:43:59-05:00February 20, 2025|Iowa|

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