House committee hears bill to clarify pharmacists’ limited prescriptive authority amid disputes over abortion coverage In a lengthy April 7 hearing, supporters including Rep. Genevieve Mina and Brandy Sign Martin (Alaska Pharmacy Association) said HB 195 clarifies existing law to let pharmacists provide limited, low‑acuity care; several legislators raised concerns the bill or collaborative practice agreements could be used to enable pharmacists to prescribe abortion medication, a point the attorney general’s memo disputes.

A new bill in Alaska aims to empower pharmacists with limited prescriptive authority for low-acuity care, but it faces heated debates over potential implications for abortion medication.

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#AK #PharmacyReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #RuralHealthcare #AlaskaPharmacy

Committee advances PBM reform bill tied to transparency measure; industry warns of higher costs Senate Bill 387, amended to require PBM audits, fiduciary duties, rebate pass‑through and limits on PBM compensation models, was reported out by the Senate Insurance Committee April 1. PBMs and industry groups warned the changes could raise premiums and create legal risks; sponsors argued reforms protect patients and independent pharmacies.

The Senate Insurance Committee has just advanced a groundbreaking bill aimed at reforming pharmacy benefit managers, but the industry warns it could lead to higher costs for patients.

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#LA #PharmacyReform #CitizenPortal #LouisianaPharmacy #PatientAccess #HealthcareTransparency

Senate Government Operations reviews H.588 to ease licensure rules and expand pharmacists' test‑and‑treat authority The Senate Government Operations Committee on April 2 reviewed H.588, an Office of Professional Regulation bill that would remove an APRN active‑practice renewal requirement, expand pharmacist testing and prescribing for COVID‑19, flu and strep, ease psychology licensure pathways, eliminate a defunct midwife advisory committee and propose a technical FBI background‑check fix for the Board of Medical Practice.

Vermont's Senate Committee is shaking up health care by proposing major changes to licensure rules and expanding pharmacists' authority to test and treat conditions like COVID-19 and flu!

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#VT #PharmacyReform #PublicHealthAccess #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthLicensure

Committee advances pharmacy-practice changes to let pharmacists initiate therapy and add vaccines to scope The House Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to pass a substitute for SB261, which broadens collaborative practice rules to let pharmacists initiate certain therapies, adds vaccines and epinephrine to pharmacist-authorized services, and sets up online pseudoephedrine ordering with verification requirements.

Utah's Senate Bill 261 is set to revolutionize pharmacy practice by allowing pharmacists to initiate therapies and administer vaccines, paving the way for enhanced patient care!

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#UT #PharmacyReform #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

Committee advances package: prosthetics accountability, PBM reforms and consumer-protection bills The Business and Insurance Committee cleared multiple bills, including a prosthetics-contracts accountability bill and several PBM reforms and consumer-protection measures. Votes ranged from unanimous approvals to narrow 7-2 margins on some items.

The Oklahoma Senate has just passed groundbreaking bills aimed at enhancing prosthetic accountability and reforming pharmacy benefit managers, setting the stage for significant consumer protections!

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#OK #PharmacyReform #CitizenPortal #RentalDisclosure #HealthAccess

Senate panel advances bill to limit prior authorization for antipsychotics for SMI patients amid fiscal dispute SB16-72 would restrict prior authorization and step-therapy barriers for FDA-approved antipsychotic medications for AHCCCS members designated as having serious mental illness. Mental-health advocates supported removing administrative delays; AHCCCS and health-plan representatives warned of large increases to pharmacy spending and disputed fiscal assumptions in the bill's note. The committee advanced the measure after adopting the sponsor's amendment.

A new bill aims to streamline access to vital antipsychotic medications for those with serious mental illness, but raises concerns over potential costs and fiscal impacts.

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#AZ #ArizonaMentalHealth #HealthcareAccess #MentalHealthAdvocacy #CitizenPortal #PharmacyReform

Committee hears Bailey Group pharmacy analysis showing potential multi-million-dollar savings for city health plan City committee heard a Bailey Group presentation showing the cityould reduce pharmacy costs by several million dollars annually by changing pharmacy benefit management arrangements, increasing rebates and adding a specialty coupon program; presenters emphasized changes would not increase employee copays.

A Jacksonville committee just discovered a game-changing pharmacy analysis that could save millions for the city's health plan—without raising employee copays!

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#JacksonvilleDuvalCounty #FL #PharmacyReform #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CostSavings #JacksonvilleHealthPlan

Committee advances SB 431 on remote pharmacy practice and approves CHIP amendment in SB 271 The committee passed SB 431 out of committee (remote pharmacy practice) and approved an amendment to SB 271 (CHIP) keeping 250% of poverty eligibility and changing premium calculations; both measures were moved to the Senate.

Kansas lawmakers just advanced crucial legislation for remote pharmacy practices and made significant changes to CHIP eligibility—what does this mean for your healthcare?

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#KS #PharmacyReform #KansasPublicHealth #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #ChildHealthcare

Committee approves expanded pharmacist prescribing authority with amendments The committee passed HB 2676 to allow pharmacists to initiate certain therapies consistent with training, adopting amendments excluding most controlled substances (with limited exceptions for opioid‑use‑disorder treatment), adding a 90‑day refill cap for pharmacist‑initiated refills, and allowing pharmacists to elect into the state health care stabilization fund in 2028.

Kansas takes a bold step forward as the Committee on House Health and Human Services approves a bill empowering pharmacists to initiate therapy for select conditions, aiming to boost healthcare access in underserved areas.

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#KS #AccessToCare #PharmacyReform #KansasHealthcare

Hearing only: bill to let pharmacists provide contraceptives advances discussion on training, privacy and coverage Representative Camp’s HB1138 would let pharmacists dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives and administer injectables, add insurer coverage for extended supplies, and include liability protections and joint-protocol training; the committee held a hearing and sponsors said minors under 18 would need a prior prescription.

A new bill in Georgia could revolutionize access to contraceptives by allowing pharmacists to dispense hormonal options directly, but crucial questions about safety and training remain.

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#GA #PharmacyReform #HealthcareAccess #Health #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaContraceptives

Germantown schools confront rising health and pharmacy costs; board presented $2.47M amendment and options to curb spending District staff told the Germantown Board of Education that medical and pharmacy claims have jumped, with pharmacy now nearly half of total claims, and proposed a $2,469,274 budget amendment and a $30,726 stop-loss premium amendment while presenting options including the Tennessee state health plan, a new pharmacy benefits manager, and internal plan design changes.

Germantown School District is facing skyrocketing health insurance costs, prompting a crucial budget amendment and potential changes to their plan—what could this mean for employees and students?

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#TN #PharmacyReform #HealthCareCosts #CitizenPortal #BudgetAmendment

Votes at a glance: health committee advances telehealth, PBM and evidence‑review bills In addition to measures sent to first reading, the committee reported S3359 (telehealth reimbursement extension to 2028), S5939B (minimum PBM reimbursement rates), and a set of bills concerning the Evidence Based Benefit Review Advisory Committee (EBRAQ); these items were advanced by voice votes or sent to finance as noted.

The New York health committee just advanced crucial bills on telehealth reimbursement and pharmacy standards, paving the way for better healthcare access!

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#NY #PharmacyReform #TelehealthExpansion #CitizenPortal #HealthcarePolicy #NewYorkHealth

School health plan cites specialty drugs and hospital prices as main drivers of sharp cost growth Representatives of the Vermont Education Health Initiative told the Senate Finance Committee that specialty medications and high hospital prices are the primary drivers of rising premiums for the state’s school health plan, and outlined steps — including a PBM RFP, benefit‑design work and point‑solution pilots — intended to curb costs.

Vermont's school health insurance pool is grappling with skyrocketing costs driven by specialty drugs and hospital expenses, leaving educators and taxpayers feeling the strain.

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#VT #PharmacyReform #HealthCareCosts #CitizenPortal #EducationPolicy #VermontSchools

Lockton review urges Grain Valley R‑V to secure claims data, re-evaluate PBM and stop‑loss terms An independent Lockton review advised Grain Valley R‑V to obtain its own claims warehouse, target claim audits, re-examine PBM arrangements and consider repricing exercises to control rising pharmacy and medical-pharmacy costs. The district benefited from consortium stop‑loss coverage but should continue active negotiation and oversight.

Grain Valley R-V School District is urged to take control of its medical claims and pharmacy contracts to combat rising costs and enhance financial oversight.

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#MO #PharmacyReform #MissouriSchools #InsuranceTransparency #CitizenPortal #HealthcareCosts

Mississippi House passes PBM reform after heated debate; pharmacists’ strike‑all amendment fails The House approved HB 16‑65, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform bill that sets reimbursement floors, bans spread pricing and clawbacks, requires transparency and shifts oversight to the Department of Insurance; a strike‑all amendment favored by independent pharmacists failed on a roll call.

The Mississippi House has passed a groundbreaking PBM reform bill aimed at protecting local pharmacies and increasing transparency in drug pricing, sparking a fierce debate among lawmakers.

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#MS #PharmacyReform #CitizenPortal #DrugCosts #HealthcareTransparency

Kansas committee hears testimony on bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers On Jan. 28 a House committee heard pro- and opponent testimony on Senate Bill 360, the Kansas Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act, which would license PBMs, require pass-through rebates, ban spread pricing and set reimbursement floors; proponents said it will lower costs and protect local pharmacies, while business and insurer groups warned it could raise employer and patient costs and pose ERISA legal risks.

Kansas lawmakers are debating a bold bill aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers to cut drug costs and protect local pharmacies, but opponents warn it could backfire!

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#KS #KansasConsumerHealth #PharmacyReform #HealthcareAccess #DrugCostTransparency #CitizenPortal

Irish pharmacy shake-up to change how prescriptions are given

Ireland's Healthcare Shake-Up: Pharmacists to Dispense Prescriptions Like $MRK & $JNJ
Pharmacists take on GP task, changing access for thousands
#HealthcareRevolution #PharmacyReform #IrelandHealth

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Independent Pharmacists Warn Appropriations Panel PBM Reimbursement Models Threaten Community Pharmacies Pharmacists and independent pharmacy owners told the committee that reimbursement below cost and PBM payment models are driving closures of community pharmacies, reducing access in rural counties and prompting requests for a fair dispensing fee and commercial-insurance reforms.

Independent pharmacies are the backbone of healthcare in Georgia, but with reimbursement rates below costs, their survival is at stake.

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#GA #PharmacyReform #GeorgiaCommunities #HealthcareAccess #RuralEconomies #CitizenPortal

Appropriations Committee advances bill expanding Department of Health authority on pharmacist immunizations despite GOP opposition House Bill 18 81, which would allow the Department of Health to provide immunization administration guidelines for pharmacists and change exemption timing for registered pharmacy technicians, passed the committee and was referred to the House floor after Republicans announced they would vote no and Democrats were recorded as affirmative.

The House Appropriations Committee has sparked controversy by advancing House Bill 18 81, which could reshape pharmacist immunization practices in Pennsylvania despite a stark party divide.

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#PA #PharmacyReform #PublicHealth #ImmunizationGuidelines #CitizenPortal

Witnesses press Medicare coverage for pharmacist "test-and-treat" services to preserve rural access Community pharmacists told the House subcommittee they are frequent access points in rural areas and urged Congress to enact HR 3164 (ECAPS) to let Medicare reimburse pharmacist services such as testing and treating certain conditions to reduce ER use and stabilize local pharmacies.

Community pharmacists are urging Congress to recognize their critical role in rural healthcare by supporting a bill that could transform local pharmacies into essential healthcare hubs.

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#US #CitizenPortal #IllinoisCommunityPharmacies #HealthCareAccess #PharmacyReform #RuralHealth

CalPERS approves 2027 health‑plan changes; members urge action over Kaiser strikes and PBM transition CalPERS trustees approved staff proposals to separate pharmacy from medical for a Blue Shield Medicare Advantage product, expand Blue Shield EPO coverage into 51 ZIP codes, and pursue Kaiser service expansion into northwestern Nevada; public commenters urged CalPERS to press Kaiser over strike‑related access issues and staff outlined the upcoming PBM transition to CVS Caremark.

CalPERS is shaking up health coverage with major changes for 2027, aiming to enhance member access while tackling pressing issues from recent Kaiser strikes.

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#CA #CitizenPortal #LaborRights #PharmacyReform

Board initiates rulemaking to clarify technician roles in hospitals and preserve tech‑check‑tech programs Following presentations from major hospital systems, the board moved to initiate rulemaking to amend CCR §17.93.8 to allow PICs in hospitals to specify additional nondiscretionary and discretionary tasks for technicians and to preserve existing 'tech‑check‑tech' programs through clarified language.

The Board of Pharmacy is redefining the crucial role of pharmacy technicians in hospitals, paving the way for advanced responsibilities that enhance patient care.

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#CA #CitizenPortal #PatientSafety #PharmacyReform

Board ratifies discontinuance edits, opens multiple rulemakings and approves AB 1503 implementation policies At its Nov. 2025 meeting the California State Board of Pharmacy voted to ratify OAL-requested edits to a discontinuance-of-business regulation and initiated or approved a package of rulemakings and policy steps implementing provisions of the boards 2025 sunset legislation (AB 1503). Actions include initiating rulemaking for remote processing of Rx

The California State Board of Pharmacy has just ratified crucial regulation changes that could reshape pharmacy practices across the state!

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#CA #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability #PharmacyReform

Brown & Brown: Flagler Schools medical and pharmacy costs rose; district exploring AdventHealth, narrow networks and pharmacy RFP Brown & Brown presented an end-of-year review showing $9.4 million net medical claims and about $3.9 million pharmacy spend for the plan year; pharmacy rebates and GLP-1 medications were highlighted as material drivers. The broker outlined network and pharmacy strategies under consideration and advised the board the early-year forecast is above the

Flagler County Schools are facing a budget crunch as medical and pharmacy costs soar, prompting a deep dive into cost-cutting strategies and pharmacy procurement options.

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#FL #CitizenPortal #EducationBudgeting #HealthCareCosts #PharmacyReform

Committee reviews a wave of signed bills affecting pharmacy practice, urges outreach and interagency coordination The committee reviewed recently chaptered and enrolled legislation (October 2025) with implications for pharmacy practice, including AB 82 (confidentiality protections), AB 144 (expanded pharmacist immunization authority), AB 260 (reproductive health confidentiality), AB 309 (hypodermic needle authority), SB 40 (insulin cost cap), SB 41 (PBM reform

California's latest legislation is set to transform pharmacy practice with new protections and expanded authority for healthcare workers and pharmacists alike!

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#CA #PatientPrivacy #CitizenPortal #PharmacyReform

Former governor says PBMs squeeze independent pharmacies, cites House Bill 2263 During public comment, a former governor urged action against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), saying their reimbursement practices are harming independent pharmacies and risking patient safety; a witness described wholesalers' pricing and cited an Eliquis example.

A former governor warns that pharmacy benefit managers are jeopardizing the future of independent pharmacies and patient safety in West Virginia, urging immediate legislative action.

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#WV #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #PatientSafety #PharmacyReform

California Board of Pharmacy addresses Rite Aid closures and data sharing with VA Board discusses Rite Aid closures and the need for improved prescription data sharing.

The California State Board of Pharmacy is tackling the fallout from Rite Aid's closures and the urgent need for better prescription data sharing to ensure patient safety.

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#CA #CitizenPortal #PatientSafety #PharmacyReform

Louisiana lawmakers support pharmacy bill to strengthen local drugstores and curb reimbursement issues Louisiana legislators advocate for a bill to enhance local pharmacy reimbursements and patient access.

Louisiana lawmakers are taking a stand to reform pharmacy reimbursements, aiming to empower local drugstores and improve access to vital medications for communities.

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#LA #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #LouisianaPharmacies #CivicAccountability #PharmacyReform