[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6638716,"mediaKeyId","2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7","parentId",2570298,"title","Committee hears bill to let pharmacies refuse prescriptions reimbursed below acquisition cost","audioSeconds",1260,"startMs",2835000,"endMs",4095000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7&start=2835&end=4095","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7/thumbnail_2835000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6638716/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-pharmacies-refuse-prescriptions-reimbursed-below-acquisition-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638716-12a3ce9d1ef7af366fdb877e36eb39e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140777&Signature=JxfkrvqR3kKLxhPbjIBzIT0jIs-bdjpZmNV8h5kTV3A-qFbA5QlTl9Ymz~AUX1Usui4QDi2Dt0OkbV5OMgFNuaO2oEri3wnW46lq77mKFCjzMPNiDbNsP8yfoP0IQrvApALzjLQAlegshqB-CVIHJscnLb4u7RwCsQMcEVN-gF~nGjit1vSRL5Bl0lgOQY2vtyojQXHJ~5~QOqXximJYWCGsgYf6nY5W39abxehhGvSBm-SgMWPF5hip8zsvGnrbx1nqlxLTwQby9ytBxhGfbZPYrU0WpVrHKtXkeqX73cZ8Uy3uWIpB1aI29TSIpCHP~qsJgCmeWvWeYQH3SbwjuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-03-12T14:55:18.603Z","article","Senate Bill 247 would prohibit pharmacy-network exclusions for pharmacies that refuse to dispense a prescription when the reimbursement from a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) or related contract is below the pharmacy's acquisition cost, and would require greater transparency from pharmacy services administration organizations (PSAOs).

\"What this bill will do is it will provide some protections for pharmacies when reimbursements for drugs are below cost,\" sponsor Sen. David Rochefort said, telling the committee the measure is intended to stop pharmacies from being forced to fill prescriptions at a loss or risk network exclusion.

Glenn Perrault, a pharmacist and owner of Colonial Pharmacy in New London, told the committee his store lost more than $6,000 in underpayments on brand-name drugs over a two-month period and said he has stopped stocking some brand-name medications as a result. Perrault described PBM contracting practices, multiple MAC (maximum allowable cost) lists and limited ability for pharmacies to negotiate as contributing factors.

\"My approach right now is that I will run the claim for the patient. If I get paid appropriately, I'll order the drug in for the patient. If I do not get paid appropriately, I will reach out to the PBM,\" Perrault said. \"There is a take it or leave it from the PBM. If you don't want it, we will steer patients to a different pharmacy that will take it.\"

The bill would also require PSAO contracts with pharmacies to include a provision providing pharmacies a copy of any contract the PSAO signs with a PBM and related amendments and payment schedules, within three calendar days after execution. Sponsors said that transparency requirement is designed to help independent pharmacies understand the terms negotiated on their behalf.

The Insurance Department and Medicaid counsel told the committee they are drafting technical amendments to place oversight and consumer-protection enforcement in the appropriate statutory sections and to avoid conflict with federal Medicaid rules. Committee members and witnesses discussed placing PSAO oversight under consumer protection and clarifying the statutory section where the provisions belong.

The committee closed the hearing and will consider technical amendments in a future meeting. No committee vote was recorded during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health and Human Services (03/12/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 247 would let pharmacies decline to dispense prescriptions when reimbursement is below acquisition cost and require PSAOs to share PBM contract details; pharmacists told the committee low reimbursements are forcing them to stop stocking brand-name drugs and cited examples of significant losses.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29511,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638720,"Committee reviews technical fix to controlled-substance inventory timing",234,2620000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7&start=2620&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7/thumbnail_2620000.jpg","/articles/6638720/New-Hampshire/Committee-reviews-technical-fix-to-controlled-substance-inventory-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638720-7b348a1235262e352583d27f7342b2c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140777&Signature=WSV7H0cbqxDvwHLOjp~mz4qWh7XH6P71xGDyZITHBgNw9nmwbCs~PZlPzXVFg9hF4uQvpjaxd6NmqTU3KqaSzfLgX9j7QvgzxqWrgPPWJlldk3GZPhx2FFJulcS7FFv8JSwytuYPg8lEs78uPKrNsQIqutTsV~TevYDYoUr9z7vOp0dIsdhlsdOFXc75JcfBHTRsHn796o5T0zC0LcPJl1M9FiSjCw85MZM0hY6L08oJ0dMAJaboV8Mk7X9u5WOAmDiF3cWiXEMlSTsitOy1c4r9POGFV1sEwbF0l-XsT7gEl4iG23HE1OPo~aujRt0IUV~KE2lAjxbRaXUGRpcj7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard Senate Bill 254, a technical amendment to state controlled-substance inventory requirements intended to align state timing rules with federal law.

\"A number of years ago, the state of New Hampshire changed the, inventory the controlled substance inventory laws, that pharmacy has to abide by to align with federal law,\" Sen. David Roche said. \"The only problem is we got it right on line 5 where it, it lines it up with federal law. The only thing is we missed on line 6. We kept in a part of the old law, which says it has to be on every odd number year. That is not in line with federal law, and it's caused a lot of confusion.\"

Caitlin Camoe, a practicing pharmacist and representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacists Association, testified in support and said the change would give pharmacies more flexibility to conduct business and align New Hampshire with federal and neighboring-state practice. The Insurance Department did not object. The committee closed the hearing on SB 254 without taking an immediate vote.","Sen. David Roche said SB 254 corrects a mismatch with federal law in New Hampshire's controlled-substance inventory timing requirement; pharmacists testified support and called it a noncontroversial alignment with federal rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638725,"Committee advances bill allowing pharmacists to administer certain controlled medications and receive separate reimbursement for administration",2075,2102000,4177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7&start=2102&end=4177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","/articles/6638725/New-Hampshire/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-pharmacists-to-administer-certain-controlled-medications-and-receive-separate-reimbursement-for-administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638725-b4f231b3e06e8c5c03b93f0843801aec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140777&Signature=OmxJGSdH3wV9-~cpA2N8STSKOiAcXO2-vhGCdZcFwFOdoNpSrXmvLlW~h3dWbjp6RMkItAr43~mlh-Cv7NpqOC6A0LkLa941j98LM4RGGGdCmdz8m7zFlpDJa3m0MwcmQqUJedFN5LyHcn4euHDHZZw7GoNujuA2xxzan2WBZqPpxOatCZIIKEQsJFfDe1n99mjOBcENhR7ZUJbFnoKv4GBCHatGx86I5vh5-0~UOMXm1Yt3n3MGRVojvexTS8TtqP2seX1fS83aPKn0XX5hq-eSpycHOwi9FCnn-ftxtxZ6bZMgLULPFbEjqyQLOceprfjfTICPVW-WXARnZNMFkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard testimony on Senate Bill 250, a measure to clarify pharmacist authority under New Hampshire controlled-substance law and to allow pharmacists to administer certain controlled medications, including monthly medication-assisted therapy injections.

\"The goal here is to reduce ambiguity in what a pharmacist is permitted to do,\" sponsor Sen. David Roescher said, arguing the controlled-substance chapter omits the word \"administer\" found elsewhere in pharmacy law.

Roescher said allowing pharmacists to administer some controlled medications could expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and improve compliance. He cited once-monthly injectable therapies as an example that could reduce the transportation burden on patients who otherwise must travel repeatedly to clinics.

Caitlin Camoe, a practicing pharmacist who represents the New Hampshire Pharmacists Association, testified in support and described the change as a noncontroversial technical alignment with federal law and surrounding states. Michelle Heaton, director of life and health at the New Hampshire Insurance Department, said the department's only concern was payment language and offered drafting assistance so pharmacists are reimbursed for administration services in addition to the drug itself.

In executive session the committee adopted a committee amendment replacing the relevant paragraph to state: \"A pharmacist that administers drugs shall be reimbursed for administration services in addition to the reimbursement for the drug.\" The amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the committee then moved the bill out of the cutouts and to an \"ought to pass as amended\" recommendation by voice consent.

Testimony and committee discussion noted payment and implementation details would be handled in follow-up drafting: the Insurance Department offered rewording to ensure reimbursement is clearly required, and witnesses said pharmacy payment for administration is typically lower-cost than an office visit. The committee did not publish a roll-call tally during the voice votes recorded in the executive session.","Senators heard SB 250 to clarify pharmacist authority under controlled-substance law, allow pharmacists to administer monthly medication-assisted therapy injections, and add reimbursement for administration services; committee later adopted a reimbursement amendment and moved the bill as amended.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638730,"Senate committee hears bill to expand telemedicine prescribing for incarcerated patients",1833,232000,2065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7&start=232&end=2065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2570298-44960e48112477b49a4e8b836bf1f2f7/thumbnail_232000.jpg","/articles/6638730/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-expand-telemedicine-prescribing-for-incarcerated-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638730-b4587c7aea9384194bcf9d56bfa862df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140777&Signature=JCFLpeIO8LlaaHhmBx-0nyIROEHOaN4NYj8efPTkJPP2ApBRrP7uD1OE2qB9ti9zIVb2Q5RZ0vILgSt8Iesgy1ack5d0vOKQQMwm4R4lnbUGVswb2fyJ-RSmPK8LghI1CGN7j~4FTwuOIhc2SLugO5blgwwgqgn1TC1qq5oNTvTFJQkRxjrZSenRV1XNgVkPGuPt5rIq5fHdI3lm2fyRW5PCc62Ik1KMMTBQQPeGKL3KYslNcUevglQGjjMOsF2t~1Wqhj1x-1jviqR~bphH0l-ix358HRbh7hZyFlQm8ya0a6Fo~ncJWgQeo5D1ZSI0xFZarwJ4IzyZNuy1HHewAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State senators opened a hearing on Senate Bill 252 on telemedicine rules for incarcerated people, with prime sponsor Sen. Sue Prentice saying the measure would let providers establish a primary care relationship before release so patients have continuity of care after reentry.

\"The purpose here is to establish that relationship while they are incarcerated so that when they come out of being incarcerated, they have that point of contact with the primary care provider,\" Sen. Sue Prentice said, introducing the bill.

Supporters and experts told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that expanded telemedicine access can reduce costly emergency-department use and improve access to medication-assisted treatment for people leaving custody. Jonathan Ballard, chief medical officer at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and chair of the legislative telehealth commission, said the commission's unanimous recommendation was to align state statutes that currently prohibit prescribing controlled medications via telehealth without an in-person visit with applicable federal rules.

\"The committee really only had one final recommendation. It was the recommendation of this commission to amend current New Hampshire statutes that prohibit the prescribing of controlled medications via telehealth without the need for an in person visit and to align state statutes with applicable federal laws and regulations,\" Ballard said.

Erin Thirbelson of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a national nonprofit that studies justice and behavioral health intersections, urged support for SB 252 on the grounds that delaying or disrupting medication and care at release increases overdose and recidivism risks. Thirbelson cited the Justice Center's findings that many people leaving custody rely on Medicaid for behavioral health services and that establishing prerelease and postrelease care connections is urgent: \"71 percent use Medicaid within one month of release with a median of 9 days between release and their first Medicaid claim.\"

Senators asked how the bill would treat opioid prescribing and hospice patients, and whether nurse practitioners and physician assistants should be explicitly included. Ballard and other witnesses said the current federal flexibilities (extensions of emergency-era waivers) allow teleprescribing in many cases and that New Hampshire law is presently stricter than federal rules. Ballard noted the December federal action that extended teleprescribing flexibilities through December 2025, while warning that the DEA and HHS could change federal rules before then.

Sen. Prentice told the committee she plans to remove eye-care prescriptions from the bill because eyewear and many ophthalmic prescriptions require an in-person exam. Representatives of nurse practitioners asked that the Nurse Practice Act (RSA 3:26) be considered alongside physician statutes to ensure nonphysician prescribers are included.

Committee members and witnesses also discussed New Hampshire's Medicaid reentry waiver, which allows Medicaid coverage to begin before a person is released and could be used to schedule prerelease telehealth appointments that would continue into the community. Ballard and others characterized those prerelease connections as a way to reduce transportation costs and avoid care interruptions.

The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. Supporters asked lawmakers to consider narrowly drawn safeguards—such as maintaining in-person requirements for certain opioid prescriptions outside of hospice or well-established clinical relationships—while aligning state statute with federal practice to preserve access for rural and homebound patients.","Senators heard testimony on SB 252 to allow telemedicine-based establishment of medical relationships for incarcerated people and to align state rules on teleprescribing controlled medications with federal flexibilities; supporters said the bill would improve continuity of care at reentry and reduce emergency visits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to let pharmacies refuse prescriptions reimbursed below acquisition cost

Committee reviews technical fix to controlled-substance inventory timing

Committee advances bill allowing pharmacists to administer certain controlled medications and receive separate reimbursement for administration

Senate committee hears bill to expand telemedicine prescribing for incarcerated patients