Committee advances a package of health measures: oversight, pharmacy protections, parity and cancer screening
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Summary
The committee approved a set of health-related measures by voice vote: HB 1192 (financial reporting and oversight for DHS/DCH funds), HB 810 (substitute protecting rural pharmacies), HB 951 (parity for prosthetic coverage with updated fiscal note), HB 1211 (colorectal cancer screening coverage expansion), and two study resolutions on noncompetes and PBMs (HR 592, HR 948).
A single committee session advanced several health-related measures in quick succession, most by voice vote.
House Bill 1192 (LC520972), introduced by Chairlady Taylor in the appropriations subcommittee, directs the Department of Human Services and the Department of Community Health to provide annual reporting on state and federal funds and tasks the department commissioner with ensuring funds are allocated and used for their assigned purposes. Members emphasized the need for separable fund accounts to allow tracing of designated dollars.
Representative Jaspers presented a substitute for House Bill 810 (LC461454) to protect rural pharmacies and their existing contracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The substitute clarifies rural-area definitions and preserves current reimbursement arrangements so contracts in low-density areas are not harmed.
Representative Clark reintroduced House Bill 951 (LC520886) after securing a fiscal note; the measure aims to bring parity in coverage for prosthetics across state health plans and Board of Regents plans, aligning them with a previously passed commercial health-care plan.
Representative Kelly presented House Bill 1211 (LC520992), which would require health plans to cover colorectal cancer screening tests when recognized by established authorities such as the American Cancer Society, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Radiology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and CMS; the intent is to modernize covered screening options and increase patient uptake.
Two resolutions to form short study committees also passed. HR 592 (noncompete study) will examine physician noncompete clauses and workforce impacts; HR 948 creates a study on PBM vertical integration, reimbursement practices and impacts on independent pharmacies.
Most items were advanced by voice votes; the transcript records committee "do pass" actions but does not provide roll-call tallies for these voice votes.