Wisconsin Senate Bill SB50

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/25
• Refer: 2/21/25

Caption

Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

Impact

One notable feature of SB50 is the establishment of a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. This board is charged with assessing the affordability of various prescription drugs and has the authority to enforce an upper payment limit on drugs determined to pose affordability challenges. This measure reflects growing concerns about the rapidly increasing costs of medications and aims to provide regulatory oversight that will benefit consumers and healthcare providers alike. Furthermore, the board will require regular public meetings and solicit input from stakeholders, enhancing transparency in the pharmaceutical pricing process.

Summary

Senate Bill 50 aims to enhance affordability and accessibility of prescription drugs for Wisconsin residents. It eliminates existing cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program, which primarily benefits low-income individuals. This change is intended to ease the financial burden on those receiving health services under BadgerCare, advocating for a more inclusive healthcare system. The bill also sets a cap on insulin costs, mandating that no health insurance policy can charge more than $35 for a one-month supply of insulin, significantly easing financial pressure on diabetic patients.

Contention

Despite the bill's positive intentions, potential points of contention could arise, particularly regarding the implications for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The legislation imposes new fiduciary and disclosure requirements on PBMs, which may be met with resistance from those in the pharmaceutical industry due to concerns over profit margins and operational changes. Additionally, while the intent is to improve access to medications, some stakeholders may argue that limiting cost-sharing for insulin and reinforcing PBM responsibilities might inadvertently lead to increased prices for other medications, as companies adjust to these new regulations.