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Senate narrowly approves pilot to limit Medicaid preferred drug list to one drug class
Summary
The Senate passed a second-substitute version of SB 85 authorizing a pilot to limit a preferred drug list to a single drug class (sedative-hypnotics) to control Medicaid costs; the bill passed 17–12 after floor debate and a call of the Senate.
On Feb. 28 the Utah Senate approved second-substitute SB 85, a Medicaid cost-control measure narrowed on the floor to a pilot focused on a single class of medications.
Sen. Christiansen, sponsor of the second substitute, said the revised proposal was intended as a measured test — restricting changes to the preferred drug list to sedative-hypnotic medications only — to see whether targeted management could produce savings without compromising patient care. Sponsors said the bill includes protections such as a three-day provisional medication supply and grandfathering for stable clients.
Supporters argued the Medicaid program is growing faster than the budget and that careful trials of utilization-management tools are necessary. Opponents raised concerns about access and the potential for unintended consequences; the latter objections led to an extended floor discussion that required the Senate to go into a call to secure members for a final recorded vote.
After the call of the Senate to secure attendance, the second substitute passed 17–12 and will be placed on the third‑reading calendar. Floor advocates said the pilot's limited scope and built-in safeguards aim to address fiscal pressure while minimizing disruption for clients.
