Texas House Bill HB2381

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to disclosure of the prices charged to state agencies in connection with pharmacy benefit manager services.

Impact

If enacted, HB2381 will affect all state agencies in Texas involved in contracting for pharmacy benefit manager services. It specifies that these agencies must provide requested pricing information to other agencies within 30 days, promoting a culture of openness about public expenditures. This disclosure obligation aims to combat unfair pricing practices and provide state agencies with the necessary information to make informed decisions when entering contracts with PBMs.

Summary

House Bill 2381 proposes amendments to Chapter 2158 of the Government Code in Texas, specifically targeting the transparency requirements around pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) services. The primary aim of this legislation is to mandate state agencies to disclose the prices charged by PBMs for their services related to prescription drug programs. This act is intended to enhance transparency in government spending, enabling better oversight of drug pricing and potentially leading to cost savings for state agencies.

Contention

The bill highlights several points of contention, primarily revolving around issues of confidentiality and the potential impact on existing contracts with PBMs. While the bill allows for transparency, it also respects existing contractual obligations that may inhibit full disclosure. Critics of the bill may argue about the potential challenges in balancing the need for transparency with the competitive disadvantages that state agencies might face if sensitive pricing strategies are publicly disclosed. Discussions among stakeholders are likely to revolve around how best to implement these transparency measures without disrupting existing service agreements.