Committee advances changes to state employee drug-plan procurement after heated sponsor remarks about state chamber
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Summary
Representative Marty introduced SB 1447 to modify the RFP for the state employees prescription drug plan and defended the measure with extended remarks accusing the state chamber and some pharmacy-benefit managers of spreading misinformation; the committee approved the bill 6–0 on a recorded vote.
Representative Marty presented Senate Bill 1447, saying it would modify requirements for the request for proposals for the state employees prescription drug plan and allow consideration of models previously used, including one run for Medicaid by the University of Oklahoma, while keeping the contract open to competition. Marty framed the bill as an opportunity to achieve savings and criticized recent messaging about the legislation.
During a prolonged statement, Marty said the "state chamber" has supported policies he described as harmful and accused some organizations and pharmacy-benefit managers (PBMs) of lying in public messaging about the bill. He named two PBM contacts, Cindy Glover and Emily Crouch, as having discussed the proposal. Marty said: "they look you in the eye and they lie to you," and suggested the chamber's support for prior measures (including Medicaid expansion and state questions) has been inconsistent with outcomes. He said he was "tired of all the lies" and that the committee and the building should start valuing their word.
Marty moved for adoption. With no recorded questions from committee members, the clerk reported '6 ayes, 0 nay' and the chair declared SB 1447 passed and recommended it for the next committee. The committee record in the transcript contains the sponsor's accusations but no recorded response from the named organizations or PBMs.
