In Review: The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee held a hearing on SB 555, which would require 50% of rebates to be offered to the patient at the point-of-sale. PCMA testified in opposition to the bill along with AHIP and Anthem. PhRMA and patient advocacy groups testified in support. Chair John Hunt (R) was critical of the bill and PhRMA. SB 354 was also heard, which would require copay coupons to be applied to a patient’s deductible. Again, patient advocacy groups testified in support of the bill. PCMA and AHIP testified in opposition and the Chair expressed interest in our amendments to narrow the scope of the bill to limit it to drugs with no generics, biosimilars, or therapeutic equivalents. AHIP is currently working on language. Both bills will have a work session next week and PCMA plans on participating in the hearing.

If you have any questions, please contact Sam Hallemeier at shallemeier@pcmanet.org.