Last Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee released a new package of legislation that includes additional policies to reform pharmacy benefit managers — a longstanding priority for NCPA and its members. The committee, which is led by Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), plans to vote this Wednesday, Nov. 8, on the proposal. This package differs from the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act (S. 2973), otherwise known as MEPA, which passed the Senate Finance Committee in July. MEPA includes additional NCPA-supported PBM reform provisions that would enhance transparency into PBM-insurer operations in Medicaid managed care and delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications. The new package that’s on the docket this week includes provisions requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to define contract terms and conditions that are “reasonable and relevant” under Medicare Part D and force PBMs to comply while creating a process for pharmacies to report problematic contract terms or potential violations, which is a positive step. NCPA also appreciates that Congress sees the need to propose new solutions to protect patient access to essential pharmacies in underserved areas, which NCPA’s advocacy team continues to review. Learn more about NCPA’s priority advocacy agenda today.
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