Committee advances amendment to let pharmacists prescribe and administer more FDA‑licensed vaccines
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Summary
In a work session the committee advanced LD 20‑71 as amended to expand pharmacist authority to prescribe, dispense and administer a broader set of FDA‑licensed vaccines (including influenza and COVID updates) and to adjust the insurance‑coverage cross‑references; carriers flagged certificate technicalities and the committee suggested an implementation date tied to future plan years.
The committee held a work session on LD 20‑71, a bill that—per the sponsor’s amendment—would broaden pharmacist authority to prescribe, dispense and administer certain vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and aligned with recommendations from relevant professional societies (for example, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). The amendment would also remove a current statutory cross‑reference to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and instead reference FDA licensure and professional society guidance, with an option for the committee to retain an ACIP reference for Affordable Care Act consistency.
Insurers raised a technical concern: Anthem’s representative said carriers do not plan to change coverage policy but might need to amend certificates or policy language, and suggested an application date (policies issued on or after Jan. 1, 2027) so contracts and rate filings can align. The sponsor and staff discussed a possible sunset and an implementation schedule tied to plan years to avoid creating a technical noncompliance for carriers.
Committee action: After discussion and minor technical drafting requests from the department and carriers, the committee voted to recommend LD 20‑71 'ought to pass as amended.' The motion passed on a roll call with the recorded tally showing nine votes in favor and one opposed.
Ending: The committee will forward the bill as amended; staff will circulate revised language addressing effective‑date and citation technicalities for carriers to review.
