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Committee advances bill to allow state-sponsored prescription discount programs
Summary
Senators discussed SB 647, which would authorize state-sponsored prescription discount cards with tighter privacy and transparency than commercial programs; DOI and the governor's office are reviewing implementation and committee advanced the measure to allow more work.
Sponsor moved to pass Senate Bill 647 out of committee to allow additional stakeholder work and Department of Insurance review. The sponsor described the proposal as enabling "state-sponsored discount programs" that would operate like existing pharmacy discount cards but with stronger privacy protections and greater transparency in rebate flows.
Lawmakers and staff questioned specific provisions, particularly language allowing cooperative procurement via intergovernmental agreements and whether the state would need new statutory authority or could act through the executive branch. The sponsor said Vermont and Connecticut recently implemented similar programs and that New Hampshire's DOI is reviewing whether statutory change is required.
The committee agreed to advance the bill to give DOI and stakeholders another week to refine language. One member removed the bill from consent for further work before the measure left the table for follow-up.
The hearing record shows the committee's interest in balancing consumer savings, privacy and state oversight; no final floor vote was recorded at this session.
