In Review: Last Wednesday,  the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee held a hearing on HF 3578 (Prior Authorization/Gold Carding). PCMA, Cigna, and Prime Therapeutics all testified at the hearing but due to time constraints, only public testimony was taken. An amendment was adopted which changed effective dates and removed the gold carding provision. The bill was laid over until the fiscal note is available and then another hearing will be held for member questions and further discussion. The following new bills were introduced last week: HF 4332 (Gross Revenue Tax), SF 4335 (Prior Authorization), and SF 4368/HF 4402 (Medical Assistance Prior Authorization Mental Health Carve Out).

Up Next: On Monday, a hearing will be held on HF 4100 (Copay Accumulator) which is part of a much broader bill including medical debt that Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office is supporting. PCMA has submitted written testimony relative to the one section dealing with copay accumulators. On Tuesday, SF 3532 (Prior Authorization/Gold Carding) will be heard in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. PCMA has a meeting scheduled with Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R)on Monday afternoon and Representative Kristin Bahner (D), who is the author of the House prior authorization bill, on Tuesday afternoon.

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