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House rejects Senate amendments to pharmacy benefit-manager bill and requests conference
Summary
House members rejected the Senate amendments to House Bill 2610, which would create a single state-run pharmacy benefit manager for Medicaid; the House voted to refuse the Senate changes and asked for a committee of conference.
The House on Feb. 20 rejected Senate amendments to House Bill 2610, a measure described on the floor as creating a single state-run pharmacy benefit manager to administer pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients.
Delegate Carlson, speaking to the chamber, said the Senate amendments omitted a requested study and created a conflicting implementation date. He asked the House to reject the amendments and to request a committee of conference to resolve differences between the chambers.
The clerk recorded the vote rejecting the Senate amendments as “Ayes. 6. Nos. 92,” and the presiding officer announced that the Senate amendments were rejected. Following that vote, the House will proceed to a conference process as requested by Delegate Carlson.
Why it matters: supporters said a single state-run pharmacy benefit manager could streamline Medicaid pharmacy administration; the sponsor identified specific outstanding differences—an omitted requested study and a conflict on the effective date—that he said require conference-level negotiation.
Next steps: the House’s rejection of Senate amendments typically triggers a committee of conference to reconcile the House and Senate versions; Delegate Carlson formally moved for a committee of conference during floor consideration.
