In Review: The kitchen sink anti-PBM bill, SF 383, was debated on the Senate floor last Monday, amended, and passed by a vote of 36-14. The amended language did not include Arkansas-type language prohibiting a PBM from owning pharmacies, but did include a definition of chain pharmacy that excludes chains from receiving the enhanced dispensing fee (it still includes Hy-Vee, which is the local grocery store pharmacy that has approximately 136 stores in the state). There was another amendment offered on the Senate floor that did not pass. That amendment pared down the number of pharmacies eligible to receive the enhanced dispensing fee and removed the cost drivers. The bill is now in the House waiting for debate. Given this, PCMA began running a public affairs campaign pushing back on the bill and is targeting House Republican members.

Up Next: The House will not debate today, so the earliest SF 383 could be on the debate calendar is Tuesday. Unfortunately, the bill could linger until the session adjourns. The per diem legislators receive ended last Friday, and all that needs to be done is to agree on a budget. The issue is that the House and Senate are currently not aligned on the budget, so it is a possibility that they could be in session until June.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Mack at mmack@pcmanet.org.