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Committee hears bill to study federal negotiated drug prices and state savings opportunities
Summary
House Bill 1543 would direct a legislative study of prescription‑drug pricing and how federal negotiated maximum fair prices might overlap with PERS and state drug purchases. AARP and the bill sponsor urged the study; no opposition testified and the hearing closed.
The Human Services Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1543, which would direct legislative management to study prescription‑drug pricing and the federal government's negotiated maximum fair prices under the Inflation Reduction Act and whether those negotiations create state savings opportunities.
Representative Lisa Meyer, sponsor of HB1543, said the study would examine federal drug‑price negotiations and potential overlap with drugs paid by PERS to determine usage and potential cost savings to the state and consumers.
Janelle Mosley of AARP North Dakota urged passage of a study panel, noting the federal government has begun negotiating prices for certain medications and that the Congressional Budget Office estimates substantial federal savings from the program. "We do know several studies ... that Americans pay three times what other nations pay for the same drugs," Mosley said, and she told the committee the timing aligns with federal negotiations that begin with an initial set of drugs in 2026.
No formal vote was recorded; the committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions. Committee members asked clarifying questions about state rank on prescription prices and how the study would interface with PERS and the insurance commissioner.
