RxPlus Legislative Report
March 22, 2023
The General Assembly well soon be in the last 30 days of the 120-day session. The state budget will be
introduced in the Senate earlier next week, which legislators sole focus on the “long bill” for at least a week.
Legislators have introduced close to 500 bills, with controversial gun bills recently introduced and taking up a
lot of time in discussion over the last two weeks. RxPlus remains busy, vetting bills, passing bills, getting
amendments on bills, and testifying on bills!
Additionally, RxPlus participates in numerous stakeholder meetings, where proponents and opponents voice
support, opposition, and/or request amendments in these legislator hosted meetings. Joining these
meetings make it easier for RxPlus to keep their finger on the pulse of all community pharmacy issues.
RxPlus was excited to support and testify for HB23-1201 Concerning PBM “spread pricing”. This bill passed its
first committee last week with one “No” vote. As a refresher, this bill eliminates PBM spread pricing in
employer-based insurance. An amendment was added for self-funded employer plans to “opt in” to the
spread pricing prohibition. RxPlus was asked by the department to testify and to support the bill, so please
respond to Action Alerts and contact your legislators!
HB 1227, the PBM Enforcement bill, passed the Health Committee unanimously last week. RxPlus testified
in support. The bill allows the Division of Insurance (DOI) to enforce current laws prohibiting PBMs from
engaging in unfair business practices. Please respond to Action Alerts and ask your legislators to keep PBMs
accountable.
SB144 Prescription Drugs for Chronic Pain, has moved to the House, and will be in committee next week. The
bill is intended to assist chronic pain sufferers by prohibiting providers and pharmacies from refusing to serve
chronic pain patients. RxPlus supported Senate amendments that softened the express prohibitions. The bill
now prohibits pharmacies from having a policy to refuse to dispense medications over 90mme. Expect an
amendment to strike any pharmacy prohibitions or policies in this bill.
SB162 Increased Access to Pharmacy Services has passed the Senate and will also be in the House committee
next week, the bill was amended to limit pharm tech expansion both in scope and in central fill pharmacies.
The department of health is asking for a ‘ramp up” on pharmacies participating in vaccines for children (VFC).
RxPlus supports vaccines for children and vaccine reimbursement, however, remain concerned about
expanding the pharmacy to pharm tech ratio for central fills from 6:1 to 8:1.
HB1195 Automated Pharmacy Dispensing Systems passed and the House and will be in Senate committee
tomorrow. The House limited automated dispensing system utilization for retail pharmacy to only after
pharmacy hours.
See All RxPlus Bills here: RxPlus 2023 Membership Bill Tracker
Narrative RxPlus Legislative Report 3_24_23 with Bill Tracker link Edited
