In The States – Page 62 – Weekly news about states

Pennsylvania

HB 2037, a bill to match the PREP Act’s immunization authority for pharmacists and technicians, has been introduced. It is cosponsored by a diverse group of bipartisan legislators that represent both rural and urban medically underserved areas of the state. Rep. Donna Bullock (D, Philadelphia), Majority Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, is the prime sponsor. Upon introduction, the bill was referred to her committee.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:24:27-05:00February 23, 2024|Pennsylvania|

South Dakota

HB 1147, legislation addressing discriminatory acts against entities participating in a 340B drug pricing program, unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and was deemed “certified uncontested” and placed on consent.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:23:38-05:00February 23, 2024|South Dakota|

Tennessee

The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine,” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists to recent reforms in other states, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Idaho. By enacting similar reforms, Tennessee policymakers can expand access to health care.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:22:20-05:00February 23, 2024|Tennessee|

Utah

HB 132 (3rd Substitute), permitting pharmacists or pharmacy interns to engage in therapeutic substitution pursuant to a request or consent by a patient, passed the Senate and is eligible to be sent to Gov. Spencer Cox (R).

Also in Utah, HB 425 (1st Substitute), legislation related to PBM and health insurance reforms, passed the House Business and Labor Committee. The bill includes provisions related to pharmacy network requirements for health benefit plans, modified requirements for pharmacy audits and pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates applied at the point of sale.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:13:36-05:00February 23, 2024|Utah|

Vermont

On February 28, the Board of Pharmacy will be holding its regularly scheduled meeting at 9:00 am. The agenda has been posted.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:12:57-05:00February 23, 2024|Vermont|

Washington

E2SSB 5213, PBM reform legislation pharmacy supports, continues to advance. The bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Health and Wellness Committee where it passed on February 21 by a vote of 11-6.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:12:26-05:00February 23, 2024|Washington|

Wyoming

HB 173, legislation related to the inclusion of retail pharmacies as in-network providers, failed a vote to be introduced. In an even-numbered year, bills in Wyoming must pass a vote in order to be formally introduced.

Also in Wyoming, SF 0100, legislation related to prompt payment of clean pharmacy claims, passed the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on February 21.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-23T10:11:52-05:00February 23, 2024|Wyoming|

Arizona

NACDS submitted a letter to the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee in support of SB 1165, expanding PBM reforms in the state. The bill would prohibit PBMs from deploying discriminatory reimbursement practices that favor pharmacies affiliated with and under common control of the PBM over other, non-affiliated, network pharmacy providers. Additionally, the bill also includes provisions that would strengthen the state’s existing laws for audits conducted by PBMs, preventing PBMs from engaging in audit practices that penalize pharmacy providers for clerical or administrative issues on claims for covered medications that otherwise are payable.

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

Michael Silber2024-02-16T09:49:35-05:00February 16, 2024|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts:

Issue Resolved: Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Prior Authorization Request Submission Outage (February 15)
Urgent: Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Prior Authorization Request Submission Outage – Submit via Fax (February 15)
Planned ePrescribing Functionality Migration for February 17, 2024 (February 15)

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

Michael Silber2024-02-16T09:48:55-05:00February 16, 2024|California|