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So far Michael Silber has created 2507 blog entries.

New Jersey

On January 9, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed SB 2019, priority legislation that authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV medications under the standard of care model. It also requires insurers to reimburse pharmacies for the service. The governor’s news release highlighted that the bill “will streamline access to critical health care services and prescription medications while enhancing New Jersey’s health care workforce.”

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

2026-01-15T07:30:49-05:00January 15, 2026|New Jersey|

New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) recently announced new insurance coverage requirements that took effect on January 1, 2026, including a $100 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens. The law applies to state-regulated commercial insurance policies and contracts that are issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after January 1. Because not all policies renew or change on that date, implementation will occur on a rolling basis throughout the year, with full compliance expected by year-end. The cap does not apply to Medicare, Medicaid or ERISA self-insured plans and applies only after deductibles are met for high-deductible plans. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-01-15T07:30:20-05:00January 15, 2026|New York|

Ohio

The state released its first pharmacy-related Rural Health Transformation Program (RTHP) Request for Proposals (RFP), seeking a project manager for the Rural Health Workforce Recruitment, Retention and Upskilling Pipeline Program. The program envisions pharmacies playing a key role in both the workforce initiative, and in the “upskilling” portion of the program. The RFP specifically calls for the development of training programs for pharmacists to deliver point-of-care “test and treat” services in rural areas. 

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

2026-01-15T07:29:40-05:00January 15, 2026|Ohio|

Tennessee

TennCare has made updates to Obesity and Oncology drug management. GLP-1 prior authorizations will remain active for one year with no changes to the criteria for approval as of December 1, 2025. Initial claims for oncology products will no longer be for 14-days’ supply, but instead subject to plan limitations, quantity limits and prior authorization criteria taking effect January 1, 2026. For comprehensive, clinical criteria, please visit the TennCare/Optum Rx® website and scroll to find “PDL Criteria” under “Useful Links”. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-01-15T07:28:39-05:00January 15, 2026|Tennessee|

Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the appointment of Amanda Crawford as the new Insurance Commissioner, replacing Cassie Brown, who recently announced that she would be retiring on February 2. 

Also in Texas, House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) requested that all House Committee chairs submit their interim charges by February 9. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) requested Senators provide their interim charge recommendations by February 20.  

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Service Commission's Vendor Drug Program (Medicaid) Policy team is hosting a quarterly Pharmacy Stakeholder meeting on January 21 at 9:00 am Central Time. Anyone interested in joining the calls needs to contact vdp-policy@hhs.texas.gov to preregister to receive the calendar invite and slide deck.  

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

2026-01-15T07:27:54-05:00January 15, 2026|Texas|

Vermont

This week, the Board of Pharmacy emailed the following to all state-licensed pharmacies. The revised Vermont Pharmacy Administrative Rules were recently approved and become effective February 1. The Office of Professional Regulation's outreach regarding key changes and details is forthcoming and will include timelines for compliance-readiness with certain, significant licensing-related and other changes. Please see Rule 4-3(b)(3) (page 11), regarding pharmacy technician training program completion. If your pharmacy provides employer-based training, please send it to Carrie Phillips for review and approval, ahead of February 1. Please see Rule 4-4 for the standards that such programs must include. If you have questions, please contact Carrie Phillips, Executive Officer, via email (carrie.phillips@vermont.gov) or by phone at 802-828-5032.  

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

2026-01-15T07:28:08-05:00January 15, 2026|Vermont|

Washington

The legislature convened a short session on January 12 and will adjourn on March 12. 

Also in Washington, pharmacies' priority legislation granting pharmacists independent authority was pre-filed in both chambers. SB 5924 by Senators Vandana Slatter (D) and Shelly Short (R) and, the companion bill, HB 2302, filed by Representatives My-Linh Thai (D) and Nicole Macri (D). 

Also in Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) and Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer (D), a friend of pharmacies, jointly requested that the legislature give state agencies decision-making authority over vaccines and preventive services. SB 5967/HB 2242 allows the Department of Health (DOH) to propose vaccine recommendations based on medical and scientific expertise and evidence, without relying solely on recommendations from federal committees. The bill will ensure that children and adults in the state have access to vaccines grounded in science, based on safety and efficacy. The bill also preserves health plan coverage for DOH-recommended vaccines and freezes coverage for federal preventive services recommendations. This bill does not establish new vaccine mandates or change any laws related to consent for immunizations. Public hearings were scheduled in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care on January 15 and in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness on January 16. 

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

2026-01-15T07:26:58-05:00January 15, 2026|Washington|

Rural Health Corner

NACDS would like to highlight an important requirement regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) state funding process. If a state does not receive the actual amount requested in its RHTP application, it must submit a revised budget that reflects its actual award amount by January 30. CMS will have 30 days to review and approve the state's revised budget.  

Members can confirm whether a location qualifies as "rural" under the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) definition by using the HRSA Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. The tool allows users to enter an address or select a state/county to determine rural eligibility status for HRSA rural health grants. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

2026-01-15T07:26:25-05:00January 15, 2026|Rural Health Corner|
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