Illinois: NCPA joined the Illinois Pharmacists Association in support of HB 4430, which allows pharmacists to administer “preexposure prophylaxis” (PrEP) and “postexposure prophylaxis” (PEP) to treat HIV. NCPA submitted written testimony in support of the legislation, which includes mandatory coverage and compels payers to reimburse pharmacists no less than 85 percent the rate of other providers who provide the same service.
Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed SB 28 into law. The bill requires PBMs to become licensed with the state and increases the insurance commissioner’s enforcement authority over PBMs.
Louisiana: NCPA submitted a letter of support for SB 82 to the Louisiana Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to advocate for enhanced reimbursement for pharmacy services. SB 82 would require the Louisiana Department of Health to submit a state plan amendment to CMS to enhance reimbursement for services within a pharmacist’s scope of practice.
Maryland: In the Maryland General Assembly, two bills passed both the House and Senate in Maryland. HB 229 authorizes pharmacists to administer injectable medications that treat sexually transmitted infections and mandates coverage to the same extent for those services furnished by any other licensed health care practitioner. SB 62 expands pharmacist scope of practice by including the prescribing and dispensing of “nicotine replacement therapy medication” to aid in tobacco or smoking cessation. Both bills will be sent to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) for his signature.
Missouri: House of Representatives passed HB 1677, a PBM reform bill. The bill would address patient steering, underwater reimbursements, PBM conflicts of interest, and drug pricing transparency. The bill is now being considered by the Senate.
Oklahoma: The Senate passed SB 1860, which would strengthen existing statutes protecting a patient’s authority to utilize the pharmacy of their choice. The bill is now being considered by the House.
Rhode Island: NCPA, NASPA, and APhA signed a joint letters to support S 2329 and S 2330 as testimony presented to the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. S 2329 authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and dispense tobacco cessation medications and S 2330 permits pharmacists to prescribe and administer all FDA-approved hormonal contraceptives. Both pieces of legislation include mandatory coverage from state Medicaid programs and commercial insurers.
Vermont: NCPA submitted comments in support of Vermont H. 353. The PBM bill would address conflicts of interest, such as patient steering. In its comments, NCPA urged lawmakers to support the bill and to reinsert reimbursement transparency provisions that were removed by the House during the committee process. The bill has passed the House and is being considered by the Senate.
Virginia: HB 1324 became law after approval from both the Virginia House and Senate. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) took no action thus the bill became law. HB 1324 directs the state Board of Pharmacy to adopt regulations related to workplace safety that protect the health and safety of patients. NCPA has emphasized the importance of work requirements within pharmacies to protect both patients and staff.
West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed HB 4112 into law. The bill gives patients greater authority to choose which in-network pharmacy to fill their prescriptions and would address the arbitrary “specialty” designation that PBMs use to steer patients to PBM-owned pharmacies.
