2021 Legislative Update: Week 6
Legislative Days 17 – 19
GPhA’s priority piece of legislation, SB 46 (pharmacist vaccine expansion) continues to make its way through the legislative process at a good pace having passed out of the Senate with resounding support. This bill now crosses over from the Senate (its originating chamber) to the House for its consideration.
Legislation Introduced in Week 5
HB 413
Introduced by Representative Camp, this bill looks to prohibit state and local governments from implementing laws, rules, or orders from requiring the receipt of vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 for any reason unless certain requirements are met including, amongst other things that the vaccine has been licensed for use by the FDA. Emergency use authorizations do not count as “licensed,” by the FDA for purposes of the bill.
HB 447
Introduced by Representative Knight, this bill seeks to increase transparency in the state health benefit plan (SHBP) by requiring that contracts entered into by the Board for health care coverage or services under the SHBP contain provisions relating to disclosure of cost related data relative to the plan. Cost related data includes pricing information, rebate accounting, reimbursement rates, net profits, and consulting fees. This bill would also require disclosure of the foregoing information to the General Assembly and provides that this information be made subject to disclosure under Georgia’s open records act.
HB 448
Also introduced by Representative Knight, this bill is almost identical to HB 447 except that it acts upon contracts entered into by the Board for health care coverage or services under the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids Program. It contains provisions relating to disclosure of cost related data relative to the plan. Cost related data includes pricing information, rebate accounting, reimbursement rates, net profits, and consulting fees. This bill would also require disclosure of the foregoing information to the General Assembly and provides that this information be made subject to disclosure under Georgia’s open records act.
HB 474
Representative Cooper introduced this bill which would require prescribers who prescribe an opioid for a patient to concurrently prescribe an opioid antagonist if the amount of opioid being prescribed is greater or equal to 50 MMEs. GPhA is closely monitoring this legislation.
SB 181
Senator Jordan introduced this bill which looks to reduce out-of-pocket costs for consumers requiring insulin. More specifically, it looks to limit the total cost sharing amounts for patients to no more than $50 per 30 day supply of insulin.
Previously Introduced Legislation
HB 93
Representative Cooper’s bill seeking to eliminate duplicative state licensure and regulation of clinical laboratories passed out of the House and crosses over into the Senate.
HB 367
Representative Parrish’s annual drug update bill was heard in the Judiciary Non-Civil subcommittee and GPhA offered testimony in the support of the legislation. It was favorably reported out of the subcommittee and then favorably reported out of the whole committee.
SB 80
Senator Kirkpatrick’s Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act was heard by a Senate Insurance & Labor subcommittee for a hearing only (no vote). While there was no vote, testimony was offered from stake holders both in support of the legislation and opposed to the legislation. GPhA testified in support as did the Dental Association and the Medical Association of Georgia.
