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Senate public health committee unanimously advances ambulance payments, step-therapy reform, PDMP audit authority and pharmacy licensing cleanup
Summary
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to pass an ambulance payment bill, extend a Pan/PANDAS advisory council (linked to participation in a phase‑3 Octapharma study), approve step‑therapy reforms shifting rulemaking to the insurance department, authorize PDMP audits of original prescriptions, and remove duplicate pharmacist license endorsements for nursing‑home practice.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee passed a slate of health-related bills by voice vote after brief presentations and limited committee questioning.
Ambulance payments: Senator Teague presented a bill expanding an "upper payment limit" mechanism to nonemergency runs by emergency ambulance providers to increase revenue for ambulance services. The bill includes an express exemption for Department of Human Services (DHS)‑contracted nonemergency transport providers. No public opposition was recorded; the committee moved and passed the bill.
Pan/PANDAS advisory council continuation: A sponsor asked the committee to extend an advisory council that faced a December sunset after COVID-related interruptions. The sponsor described partnerships with research institutions (including UAMS, UCLA and University…
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