New Hampshire House Bill HB172

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/3/23
• Refer: 1/3/23
• Report DNP: 11/16/23

Caption

Relative to investigating potential redundancies between the prescription drug affordability board and existing state agency programs regarding prescription drug cost data.

Impact

The bill's provisions will temporarily suspend certain statutory authorities of the PDAB for the fiscal year 2024. This suspension is focused on creating room for the investigation into the board's operations, allowing state agencies to explore whether the structure and function of the PDAB are necessary amidst existing state and federal resources. Stakeholders believe that a realignment could lead to more effective oversight and potentially more significant savings in prescription drug spending for state and local governments.

Summary

House Bill 172 aims to investigate potential redundancies between the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) and existing state agency programs that address prescription drug cost data. This investigation is prompted by concerns over the effectiveness of the PDAB, which was established on a foundation similar to that of a previous Maine law but has reportedly failed to control prescription drug costs effectively. The bill proposes a collaborative review involving the Department of Administrative Services, the Insurance Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services, to identify overlaps with current programs and suggest enhancements for better management of drug costs.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 172 include the formation of the PDAB itself, which critics argue was created without adequate legislative scrutiny. Also, there are concerns regarding the duplication of efforts and funding associated with the PDAB during a time when the state could be more judicious with its resources. The bill faces scrutiny over whether the PDAB should continue operating in its current capacity or if it can be subsumed or replaced by existing programs that have proven more effective in managing drug costs.