In Review: The House Labor & Commerce Committee postponed the discussion on amendments to HB 226 (omnibus), initially scheduled for April 5. This delay was a result of the need for a significant consolidation effort to merge eleven drafted amendments into one comprehensive amendment, a process that has faced challenges in completion. The bill has yet to be rescheduled for committee review. Additional letters of support and opposition have been made available on the Committee’s website. This includes a rebuttal to opposition testimony from the Alaska Pharmacy Association and opposition letters from Moda and the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals Alaska Chapter. PCMA staff participated in detailed discussions with the House Labor & Commerce Committee Chair, elucidating issues like spread pricing and its effects on ERISA. We also met with Senator Click Bishop (R), the Vice Chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, and Senator Forest Dunbar (D); continuing to be a resource to clarify topics related to language in SB 121 (Omnibus) for both.

If you have any questions, please contact Bill Head at tsorrell-neal@pcmanet.org.