News from the Dome Key Pharmacy Bill Takes Effect 9/1/09
Texas Gov. Rick Perry on June 19 signed SB 704, a multipurpose pharmacy bill that increases transparency in PBM contracts, allows state-funded health plans to share data about PBM costs and requires mail-order parity for maintenance medications. The bill, authored by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound,was amended late in the session to inclde the major provisions of HB 4596 and HB 2293. The bill takes effect September 1, 2009.
The regular session of the 81st Texas Legislature adjourned June 1, marred by partisan strife that killed hundreds of bills in the closing days. But pharmacy professionals have cause to celebrate anyway.
Although time ran out a few key pharmacy bills, we scored a major victory in the passage of SB 704. The bill was amended in the House to include the provisions of HB 4596 (transparency in state PBM contracts) and HB 2293 (mail-order parity). TPA thanks all the members who called Sen. Nelson and their own senators to in support of the amended bill.
Other key pharmacy bills passed and have been signed by the governor. All take effect Sept. 1, 2009:
HB 1409: allows pharmacist immunizations to patients as young as 7 under protocol.
SB 381: allows specialty pharmacists to implement or modify a patient's drug therapy under protocol.
SB 2423: establishes regulations for certain operators of Rx discount cards and requires disclosure to patients if their medical data is shared in any form
Partisan strife and delaying tactics over a divisive voter ID bill doomed hundreds of bills in the House's final days, including SB 1106, the prompt pay and audit bill. The legislation had been agreed to by all parties and was headed for sure passage. It would have required HMOs and PBMs to reimburse pharmacies by EFT within 18 days for electronically submitted claims and to pay within 21 days for paper claims. It also would have prohibited extrapolation audits by PBMs.
Check our summary of pharmacy-related bills for a complete status report.
