Requesting The Administrator Of The State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Pharmacy Benefit Manager Working Group To Determine The Best Policies To Lower Drug Costs For Patient Consumers And Increase Access To Health Care.
Impact
If adopted, SCR69 will lead to the establishment of a specialized cohort dedicated to examining and reporting on critical issues surrounding pharmacy benefit managers. This encompasses evaluating the oversight of PBM practices, the necessity for stringent reporting requirements, fair audit procedures for pharmacies, and establishing safeguards against inadequate reimbursement practices for medications. These steps aim to ensure that community pharmacies, which play an essential role in serving remote and underserved areas, can continue to provide accessible care while ensuring patients benefit from lower drug prices.
Summary
SCR69, titled 'Requesting the Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency to Convene a Pharmacy Benefit Manager Working Group', aims to address the escalating prescription drug costs and improve access to health care for consumers in Hawaii. The resolution calls for the formation of a working group to identify and recommend effective policies that regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who act as intermediaries between drugs, pharmacies, and insurance companies. Given their increasing role in the healthcare system over the last decade, the bill seeks to harness their influence to foster better medication price transparency and reduced costs for patients.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SCR69 leans towards a proactive and consumer-friendly approach, with proponents viewing the creation of the working group as an essential move towards regulating PBMs in a manner that prioritizes public health interests. Stakeholders, including community pharmacists and consumer advocates, are likely to support the bill given its focus on making drug pricing more equitable. However, there may also be concerns among industry insiders, such as PBM representatives, who could perceive this initiative as an encroachment on their operational autonomy.
Contention
There may be points of contention regarding the balance between regulation and the operational flexibility of pharmacy benefit managers. While some advocates champion increased regulations to protect consumer costs, industry representatives might argue that such measures could hamper innovation and flexibility in drug pricing strategies. The effectiveness of the working group's findings and recommendations in shaping constructive policies that both curtail drug costs and promote access to healthcare remains a critical aspect to monitor moving forward.
Same As
Requesting The Administrator Of The State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Pharmacy Benefit Manager Working Group To Determine The Best Policies To Reform Pharmacy Benefit Manager Practices In The State To Ensure Transparency And Fairness For Consumers And In The Pharmaceutical Sector, Lower Drug Costs For Patient Consumers, And Increase Access To Health Care.
Requesting The Department Of Health's State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Health Data Sharing Working Group To Accelerate And Expand The Sharing Of Real Time Health Information Among Health Care Entities And Government Agencies In The State.
Requesting The Department Of Health's State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Health Data Sharing Working Group To Accelerate And Expand The Sharing Of Real Time Health Information Among Health Care Entities And Government Agencies In The State.
Requesting The State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Health Information Data Sharing Working Group To Collaborate And Establish The Framework And Standards For Future Health Information Data Sharing Legislation.
Requesting The State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Health Information Data Sharing Working Group To Collaborate And Establish The Framework And Standards For Future Health Information Data Sharing Legislation.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Stakeholder Working Group To Make Recommendations To Enhance Meaningful Access To Health Care In The State Through The Provision Of Language Assistance Services.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Stakeholder Working Group To Make Recommendations To Enhance Meaningful Access To Health Care In The State Through The Provision Of Language Assistance Services.
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Stakeholder Working Group To Make Recommendations To Enhance Meaningful Access To Health Care In The State Through The Provision Of Language Assistance Services.
Requesting The Department Of Human Resource Development To Convene A Working Group To Help State Department Managers Foster Thriving Work Environments.
Relating to the authority and rights of pharmacy services administrative organizations to conduct the business of independent pharmacies with respect to certain pharmacy benefits.
Relating to the authority and rights of pharmacy services administrative organizations to conduct the business of independent pharmacies with respect to certain pharmacy benefits.