WEEK 6 (Mar 18-20)
WE ARE HALF WAY THROUGH THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION!
REGULATING PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS PASSED SENATE!
In the last six years, roughly 300 of 800 independent pharmacies in Alabama have closed their doors. Practices of large pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) threaten the existence of community pharmacies and stifle patient choice and access to care.
WHAT IS A PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER (PBM)
Pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) act as intermediaries between health insurance plans and pharmacies. They process claims, determine reimbursement amounts, and negotiate drug price discounts or rebates with manufacturers. Licensed and regulated by the Department of Insurance, PBMs may have affiliations with specific network pharmacies.
SB252 (Sen. Beasley)
DESCRIPTION: This bill would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from reimbursing independent pharmacies less than the amount paid by the Alabama Medicaid Agency to pharmacies for prescription drugs for a period of two years. This bill would prohibit pharmacy benefits managers from charging pharmacies or pharmacists miscellaneous fees related to network participation and claims processing, and from charging other fees that reduce reimbursement or increase out-of-pocket charges to health plan beneficiaries. Pharmacy benefits managers would be prohibited under this bill from barring disclosure of information by pharmacists to consumers about drug costs and alternative drugs for treatment. Pharmacy benefits managers would be further required to pass on 100 percent of rebates received from drug manufacturers to the health benefit plans for which they provide services.
STATUS: On Thursday, SB252 passed the Senate unanimously.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
BILL TO REGULATE HEMP DIES IN COMMITTEE
SB132 (Sen. Melson) was a bill we supported that would have banned THC products in Alabama. However, it was substituted for a bill (SB237) that would “regulate” these products. We testified against SB237 in the Senate Health Committee for these reasons. The bill failed to receive a favorable report so it died in committee. We are working to bring legislation that will ban THC products sold outside of Alabama pharmacies.
BILL REQUIRES FOLIC ACID BE ADDED TO CORN MASA
BILL: HB384 SPONSOR: Rep. Crawford
DESCRIPTION: This bill would require corn masa and products containing corn masa be enriched with folic acid before being sold for human consumption in this state.
STATUS: HB384 passed out of the House Health Committee and is headed to the House floor for debate.
OUR POSITION: Neutral. HB384 was written to help lower spinal bifida cases in Hispanic populations in Alabama. If enacted, these legislative efforts could prevent 30-120 spina bifida cases annually in Alabama’s Hispanic community, dramatically improving lives and cutting healthcare costs. On the other hand… there could be repercussions for people with the MTHFR gene mutation which include approximately up to 40% of white people and Hispanic people in America. Adding additional folic acid can cause these risks:
- Masking of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency: Excess folic acid intake can conceal vitamin B-12 deficiency, leading to undiagnosed neurological issues.
- Unmetabolized Folic Acid in Circulation: The presence of unmetabolized folic acid may have unknown long-term effects.
- Possible Increased Cancer Risk: Some research indicates high folic acid intake could contribute to cancer development, though evidence remains inconclusive.
- Fortification of Unhealthy Foods: Fortification applies to processed grains, potentially increasing the consumption of nutrient-poor foods.
SAY NO TO CHEMTRAILS!
BILL: HB248 SPONSOR: Rep. Butler
DESCRIPTION: This bill would prohibit the dispersion of items into the atmosphere with the intention of affecting the weather.
STATUS: There was a public hearing in the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. No vote was taken.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
ELECTION AUDIT BILL PASSES FULL HOUSE
BILL: HB30 SPONSOR: Rep. Wood
DESCRIPTION: Relating to elections; to require the judge of probate of each county to conduct a post-election audit after every county and statewide general election to determine the accuracy of the originally reported results of the election.
STATUS: HB30 passed the House this week and is headed to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General Fund.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
VIEW STATUS OF BILLS WE'RE TRACKING
Click button to view bill list sorted by category. Click on a bill to see the sponsor, description and current status.
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