This Week in Health Care

STATE AND LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

COLORADO

The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on April 25 regarding SB 209. This measure states that a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern who is responsible for the final evaluation of a prescription drug dispensed through an automated pharmacy dispensing system is also responsible for the accuracy of the product dispensed through the system. 

Contact: Warda Butt

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on April 25 regarding SB 80. This measure requires, beginning July 1, 2024, health insurance carriers to comply with federal price transparency laws and to make available an internet-based self-service tool that provides real-time responses to a covered person's questions concerning carrier prices that are based on cost-sharing information and information for an out-of-network (OON) allowed amount, percentage of billed charges, or other rates that provides a reasonably accurate estimate of the amount a carrier will pay for a covered item or service provided by an OON provider. 

Contact: Allison Collins

The House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on April 25 regarding HB 1045. This measure requests that a Telehealth Working Group be established to examine the impact of widespread telehealth adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify public policy initiatives at the federal and state levels to optimize telehealth utilization as the State transitions out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact: Olivia O'Donnell

HAWAII

The Health & Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on April 26 regarding HCR 125. This measure states that a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern who is responsible for the final evaluation of a prescription drug dispensed through an automated pharmacy dispensing system is also responsible for the accuracy of the product dispensed through the system. 

Contact: Olivia O'Donnell

ILLINOIS

The House Insurance Committee will hold a hearing on April 30 regarding the following. For more information on these measures, contact Allison Collins.

• SB 3130: This measure classifies pregnancy as a qualifying life event for special enrollment on the state-run insurance marketplace. Pregnant persons have the right to enroll within 60 days after certification of pregnancy by a qualifying health professional. This provision does not apply to stand-alone dental plans. 
• SB 2641: This measure amends existing code to require the Department of Insurance to determine whether the network plan at each in-network hospital has a sufficient number of hospital-based medical specialists to ensure that covered individuals have reasonable and timely access to in-network physicians and their services. 
• SB 3741: This measure prohibits limitations on dosage for an individual or group health benefit plan that prohibits the use of prior authorization requirements for substance abuse disorder treatment and coverage for FDA-approved forms of medication-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on April 25 regarding the following:

• SB 400: This measure states that any medical information that is contained in medical records in the possession of any health care provider or a third-party vendor contracted by the provider is deemed the property of the patient. The patient and the patient requester are entitled to copies of the records upon request. 
  Contact: Allison Collins
• SB 560: This measure creates a study committee to examine PBM's impact on prescription drug cost, administration, and distribution. 
  Contact: Matthew Lidz

The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on April 30 regarding SB 557. This measure prohibits insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against 340B entities and contracted pharmacies. It prohibits both network requirements and lower reimbursement rates for drugs dispensed to 340B covered entities.

Contact: Dylan Hughes

The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on May 1 regarding the following:

• SB 558: This measure clarifies that unlawful sex-based discrimination based on pregnancy also includes fertility treatment or pregnancy loss bereavement time. Employers must permit employees to attend appointments for post-pregnancy checkups including but limited to well-being checkups, in-vitro fertilization follow-up, and postpartum care.
  Contact: Olivia O'Donnell
• SB 354: This measure ensures that when an insurer or pharmacy benefits manager calculates an enrollee's cost-sharing requirements, they will include any amount paid by the enrollee or on their behalf.
  Contact: Allison Collins
• SB 556: This measure states that a health carrier is prohibited from establishing payment or reimbursement provisions based solely on a participating provider’s licensure.
  Contact: Allison Collins

RHODE ISLAND

The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on April 25 regarding the following. For more information on these measures, contact Olivia O'Donnell.

• SB 2396: This measure requires any plan or policy, except for contracts that provide supplemental coverage to Medicare or other government programs, that includes pregnancy-related benefits to provide coverage for fertility diagnosis and treatment and fertility preservation services.
• SB 2946: This measure requires any health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered or renewed in this state, with pregnancy-related benefits, to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in women between the ages of twenty-five and forty-two years old. This coverage will include preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

GROUPS EVENTS

For more information on these events, contact Zachary Cook.

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)

Vector Control Hurricane Crisis Workshop

St. Augustine, FL

April 22-25

Learn the Latest Developments in Prescription Drug Affordability Boards

Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) are gaining substantial influence within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. With eight states having already established PDABs and others in the process of forming their own, it's important for businesses to actively monitor and assess their progress.

Our comprehensive engagement and monitoring services can help you stay informed on the latest developments in the PDAB landscape. Contact us or visit www.stateside.com/PDABs for more information.