The Legislature adjourned its 30-day session on February 15.  

Also in New Mexico, HB 165, legislation increasing the Medicaid Managed Care professional dispensing fee for independent pharmacies only, unanimously passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D) for signature. Members are urged to contact the Governor to urge her to veto the bill. 

Also in New Mexico, HB 33, the Prescription Drug Transparency Act, was also sent to the Governor to sign into law.

Finally in New Mexico, the Governor has until March 6 to sign bills into law. Any legislation not acted upon by the governor is pocket vetoed. 

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

A new “Opioid Crisis and Pain Management ECHO” program for health professionals aimed at providing information on the safe use of opioids, the risks of opioid overdose and proper pain management will launch on February 8. 

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

The short 30-day legislative session focuses primarily on the budget tax and spending bills, reconciling Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's (D) proposed $10.5 billion budget and lawmakers proposed $10.1 billion spending plan.

Also in New Mexico, HB 33, prescription drug transparency legislation, requires reporting to the Superintendent of Insurance (SOI) and the Legislature. Failure to comply could result in the Superintendent assessing a penalty. The bill was heard in the House Health and Human Services Committee on January 22. 

Finally in New Mexico, HB 35 is legislation seeking to appropriate $1.1 million to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center's Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion communities to develop a careers program aimed at addressing shortages in the healthcare industry in New Mexico. 

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

The Legislature convened its 30-day session on January 16.

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

The legislature will convene its 30-day short session on January 16.

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

The Legislative Health and Human Services Committee met on November 28 to discuss the Prescription Drug Purchasing Report and a presentation on reducing prescription drug prices to reduce healthcare costs.

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

The State Ethics Commission reached a settlement agreement between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) and the New Mexico Human Services Department over a terminated request in January of 2023 for proposals (RFP) for the Turquoise Care Medicaid program. Five managed care organization contractors responded to the RFP and all but one, Western Sky Community Care, was awarded the RFP.

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

While the legislature is scheduled to adjourn their 60-day session on March 18, several bills of interest to pharmacies are pending. 

SB 92, legislation that would allow a pharmacist to order, test, screen and treat for five enumerated conditions (COVID, influenza, group A strep pharyngitis, uncomplicated urinary tract infection, and HIV [limited to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis]) as well as any other conditions of public health importance identified by the Department of Health, was amended in committee, and passed the Senate. The bill was referred to the House and is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee on March 10. 

HB 451 is the PBM tiered reimbursement rate bill that was filed late and recently reported favorably from the House Health and Human Services Committee. It is currently pending in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee with a fiscal note.  

SB 14, legislation regulating the practice of PBMs, was voted favorably from the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further action 

HB 177, therapeutic interchange legislation that would allow pharmacists to change an initial prescription to comply with the health plan formulary, is on the House calendar awaiting a floor vote. HB 132 provides payment parity for mail order and retail pharmacies, is also awaiting a House floor vote.  

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

Walgreens pharmacist Amy Bachyrycz and Dale Tinker, Executive Director of the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, were honored last week by the New Mexico Immunization Coalition, receiving the “Immunization Champion” award.

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