Gov. Jared Polis (D) named House Speaker Alec Garnett as his new chief of staff.

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

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) announced that Adela Flores-Brennan, MA, JD is the new Medicaid Director, reporting to Executive Director Kim Bimestefer. Flores-Brennan will also assume the role of Office Director, leading our newly titled Health Policy Office (formerly Health Programs Office), which designs, maintains and oversees Health First Colorado and CHP+ medical policies and contracts. HCPF also announced the formation of a new Office of Medicaid and CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives and Coverage being led by Cristen Bates who will serve as Director. Bates’ office will govern HCPF’s specific behavioral health policies, benefits, special projects, and strategies that were previously part of our Health Programs Office. Bates will hold the role of Deputy Medicaid Director.

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

Gov. Jared Polis’ (D) administration and the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) announced partnerships with key supply chain partners that will help Colorado operationalize the importation of drugs. Colorado’s Canadian Importation Program, once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), estimated it will save Coloradoans an average of more than 60% on prescription medications.  

Also in Colorado, on August 28 the Division of Profession and Occupations will hold a Joint Stakeholder online seminar with Pharmacy and other Healthcare Boards with prescriptive authority to solicit input from stakeholders on the implementation of House Bill 22-1115, clarifying certain provisions in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. 

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

The Board of Pharmacy will hold a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on August 5^th on multiple proposed revisions including Rule 17 (Collaborative Pharmacy Agreements); Appendix C (Statewide Protocol for Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)); Appendix A (Statewide Protocol for Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptive Patches and Oral Contraceptives), and the Colorado Self-Screening Contraception Risk Assessment Questionnaire to include Vaginal Rings and Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DPMA); and the proposed Appendix E (Proposed New Statewide Protocol for Statin Therapy). Potential considerations to revise the rules to implement new legislation concern: Colorado Senate Bills 22-116, 22-173, 22-027, and 22-098; and Colorado House Bills 22-1235, 22-1246, 22-1326, 22-1115, and 22-1122.

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

The Board of Pharmacy is hosting a virtual Stakeholder Meeting on June 27 at 10 AM MDT to solicit feedback on multiple proposed revisions to the Board’s rules on newly passed legislation. Topics include Third Party Logistics Providers, Reporting Violations, and Collaborative Pharmacy Agreements and Appendix C (Statewide Protocol for Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV). Potential considerations to revise the rules to implement new legislation concern Colorado Senate Bills 22-116, 22-173, 22-027, 22-098; and Colorado House Bills 22-1235, 22-1246, 22-1115, and 22-1122. To participate, you must register for the online seminar. If you cannot attend the meeting or want to submit comments, send your comments to: dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.us by June 24, 2022.  

Also in Colorado,  HB (House Bill) 22-1370 will pass along drug manufacturer rebates to employers and consumers – valued at more than 16% of overall drug costs for those not sharing in rebates now. This bill represented one of the policy recommendations in the Department’s 2021 Reducing Prescription Drug Costs in Colorado Report.  

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

The legislature adjourned on May 11th. Prior to adjournment, several bills of interest to pharmacies passed and will be sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law, including a telepharmacy bill eliminating the mileage restrictions SB-173, and a PBM 340b bill prohibiting additional fees and chargebacks HB-1122,

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

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting a virtual Health Cabinet Policy Summit on March 24 and 31. Topics include affordability, behavioral health transformation, pandemic to endemic & future readiness, and keeping Coloradans covered after the Public Health Emergency. HCPF is expanding their value-based payment models that reward providers for better patient outcomes and closes health disparities while driving affordability. Register in advance.

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

Health First Colorado is paying for up to 15 COVID-19 home tests per member each month when provided by an enrolled pharmacy.

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

State Senate President Leroy Garcia (D) announced that he has accepted a position with the Biden Administration and will be resigning in mid-February. Senate Democrats selected Sen. Steve Fenberg to be the chamber’s next president.

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