Prior to the March 7th adjournment date, pharmacies priority legislation, the PBM reform bill E2SSB 5213, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jay Inslee (D) to be signed into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
This week, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed HB 25, legislation requiring health insurers to respond to state inquiries within 60 days and prohibiting health insurers, including PBMs, from denying Medicaid payments, including a failure to obtain required prior authorization.
Also in Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed an Executive Order creating the Wyoming Healthcare Workforce Task Force, a continuation of efforts to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Wyoming and to look to the future needs of the state. Among its duties, the Task Force will develop recommendations to streamline the healthcare licensing process and develop strategies to better support Wyoming students pursuing healthcare certification and degree programs. The Wyoming Healthcare Task Force will include representatives from Wyoming healthcare licensing boards, including the Board of Pharmacy; the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges; Wyoming health insurance payors; state agency leadership; the Governor’s office and other non-governmental and industry organizations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB 238 (The FAIR Meds Act) was introduced in the House this week. The goal of this legislation is fairness and access. Please register with the VoterVoice Action Center to join the effort and keep up with the latest calls to action.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
In advance of hearings in both the House Health and Social Services Committee on February 27 and the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on February 28, NACDS submitted a letter in support of HB 226/SB 121, broad PBM reform legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The 60 Plus Association, a nonpartisan organization, submitted a letter of support to both members of the House and Senate in support of SB 1085 (Senate Engrossed), legislation that would authorize pharmacists to offer testing and treatment services for flu, strep throat and a respiratory illness, condition, or disease.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and the Department of Human Services announced the state will use $30 million from the American Rescue Fund Plan Act funds to improve mental health and substance abuse services.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its inaugural “California State of Public Health Report”. The 2024 Summary Report utilizes multiple health measures and data sources to highlight major trends and disparities in health outcomes across the state. Although there have been major improvements in health and well-being over the past 20 years, California continues to strive to address issues through a myriad of initiatives including intervention at the earliest stages of life; prevention, especially primary prevention; upstream strategies to improve social determinants that create healthy conditions for all, with a priority focus on advancing health equity; and strengthening public health readiness and resiliency in the face of emerging threats and challenges such as climate change.
Also in California, the Department of Public Health issued a summary report on the work of the AB 1341 Workgroup, created by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) after he vetoed the bill in 2022. With a focus on the state’s youth, this report summarizes policy recommendations from academic and medical experts related to educating and safeguarding the public against the potential risks associated with the use of dietary supplements for weight loss and over the counter (OTC) diet pills. It is unknown how this report may impact weight loss supplement legislation currently under consideration by the state legislature.
Also in California, last week, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), State Board of Pharmacy President Seung Oh, and Department of Managed Health Care Director Mary Watanabe acted to reaffirm an individual’s rights to contraceptive care in the state. Among the actions taken were alerts to all California pharmacies reminding them of their obligation under California law to provide minors access to emergency contraception and alerts to all State Board of Pharmacy licensees reminding licensees of their obligations under state law to provide minors with the ability to access emergency contraception without a prescription or parental consent.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposed modifications to amend section 1760 of Title 16, Division 17, Article 5 of the state’s Code of Regulations related to disciplinary guidelines; see details below. The 45-day comment period ends on April 12. To view all documents associated with the Board’s proposed regulatory actions and other pending regulations, visit the board’s “Pending Regulations” webpage.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted an alert, “National System Outage Impacting Prescription Drug Claims”. (February 23)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
HB24-1045, legislation pharmacies support that expands access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), provides funding for startup and training in select locations and ensures fair payment for the medical services provided, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee, and was referred the House Finance Committee for a hearing on March 7.
Also in Colorado, the state submitted an amended Canadian drug importation application to the FDA (FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION) this week which included a scaled-back list of twenty-four drugs it plans to import at a lower cost, including the new blockbuster weight loss drugs.
Finally, the Colorado Pharmacists Society had a great turnout at the Day at the Capitol on February 28 to promote pro-pharmacy, patient care legislation.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy released its latest newsletter which includes information regarding CE (continuing education) requirements for pharmacy technicians, a GDNA (Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency) update and President Michael Azzolin’s outgoing message.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.