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Maryland hearing on HB 321 presses PBM oversight, legal limits on ERISA plans
Summary
Sponsor and pharmacy groups urged the Health and Government Operations Committee to expand state oversight of pharmacy benefit managers to apply to ERISA plans; PBM trade group warned of federal preemption and likely litigation. No committee vote was taken.
Delegate Michael J. (Del.) Kipke, sponsor of House Bill 321, told the House Health and Government Operations Committee that the bill would extend existing Maryland protections for pharmacies to ERISA plans, arguing the change would let the Maryland Insurance Administration enforce audit and transparency standards across a wider share of the market. “This will put more teeth in our laws,” Del. Kipke said as he opened the hearing.
The bill’s supporters included independent and chain pharmacists who described falling reimbursements, clinic and pharmacy closures and shrinking pharmacy workforces. Michael Patty of Independent Pharmacies of Maryland said owners are “stressed out” and often run stores alone after reduced staffing and shrinking margins. Brian…
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