In Review: Last Tuesday, all the stakeholders working on HF 2401 (Spread Pricing Ban/AWP/Networks/MAC/Discrimination) met with House Commerce Chair Shannon Lundgren (R). In response to that meeting, PCMA, member companies, Wellmark, the Association of Business and Industry, and the Insurance Federation drafted and proposed yet another version of language to Chair Lundgren. Last Wednesday, we received an email from Chair Lundgren thanking us for trying to find common ground but indicated that the language “would not do it for the pharmacists.” Last Friday, an Amendment was filed, which does not remove the onerous provisions of the bill but does include language relative to a report to the legislature on PSAOs. In addition, a Fiscal Note was filed on the same day, and it was noted that the bill would “increase [the] annual cost to the State of Iowa Insurance Plan by between approximately $223,000 and $2.2 million and the Board of Regents Insurance Plans between $283,000 and $2.8 million.” However, the Fiscal Note also stated that it was estimated that the lower end of the range was more likely to occur, given “offsetting price changes by PBMs.” Last Thursday, SF 2381 (POS Rebate(ish), Disclosure, Cost Sharing Requirements) was heard in the House Commerce Subcommittee and was recommended for “Indefinite Postponement”, which means the bill is dead for the session.
Up Next: HF 2488 (Prior Authorization/Gold Carding) which was worked on during the interim by Wellmark, is scheduled for a Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee Meeting on Monday, March 11. However, there is not an official Subcommittee meeting scheduled, so it is very likely this bill is dead for the session. As a reminder, this bill did not include prescription drugs. There is also a Senate Health and Human Services Committee Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 14. Finally, March 15 is the Second Funnel deadline which is the final date for Senate bills and joint resolutions to be reported out of House committees and House bills and joint resolutions out of Senate committees.
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Mack at mmack@pcmanet.org.
