Pennsylvania Legislative Priorities
Government Relations
Member Grassroots Opportunities
Previous Session Advocacy
Recap of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session
- HB 1993 – Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act. Act 77 of 2024
- Looking for a summary of Act 77 of 2024? PPA’s summary can be found here.
Recap of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session
- HB 2679 – Authority to Administer Injectable Medications, Biologicals, and Immunizations. Act 80 of 2022
- HB 1630 – Pharmacy Benefits Manager Audit and Obligations. Act 98 of 2022
Recap of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session
- HB 941 – PBM Pricing Transparency and Fair Reimbursement. Act 120 of 2020
- HB 770 – Pharmacy Technician Registration and Training. Act 140
- HB 770 – Point of Care Testing and CLIA Lab Waiver. Act 140
(NOTE: HB 770 provides for pharmacy technician and training requirements, as well as POC testing and CLIA lab waiver.)
Recap of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session
- HB 270 – Medication Synchronization in PACE and PACENET. Passed the House and Senate and Signed into law by Governor Wolf. Known as Act 87 of 2018.
- HB 2212 – Unfair Pharmacy Reimbursement – Passed the House unanimously.
- HB 2211 – Prohibition of Gag Clauses – Passed the House unanimously.
- HB 1800 – Medication Synchronization – Passed the House unanimously
- HB 353 – E-Prescribing – Signed by the Governor. Earliest Effective date is October 24, 2019. Known as Act 96 of 2018
Recap of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session
BIG LEGISLATIVE WINS! In the 2015-2016 legislative session, PPA helped pass legislation that:
- Requires PBMs to register in PA
- Increases MAC and generic pricing transparency
- Establishes uniform audit standards
- Increases the PACE professional dispensing fee to $13
- Expands drug take-back locations
- Improves the PDMP for pharmacists
- Allows for substitution of interchangeable biological products
Resources
Federal Legislative Priorities
While we can’t afford to be in Washington on a regular basis, PPA works closely with a number of national organizations on their advocacy efforts on the federal level. Below are some of the issues we’re currently advocating on at the federal level.
Provider Status: Two Bills needing your support.
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS), H.R. 1770, S. 2477 This law recognizes the heroic efforts of pharmacists during the pandemic. It makes permanent certain pharmacists’ services for Medicare Part B beneficiaries and establishes reimbursement pathways. It also helps prepare for pharmacists’ services for future emergencies and public health needs and addresses gaps in health equity. It was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 23, 2023, and introduced in the Senate on July 25, 2023
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, S. 1490 This law adds pharmacists as eligible providers of pharmacists’ services for Medicare Part B beneficiaries, specifically in medically underserved areas and those with health professional shortages. It was introduced in the U.S. Senate on May 9, 2023.
PBM Issues and Reform Efforts
- PPA Response to the 2022 Legislative Budget & Finance Committee Study
- NCPA PBM Resources
- CMS Elimination of DIR Fees
- National Community Pharmacists Legislative Priorities
Drug Supply Chain Security Act of 2013 (DSCSA)
Resources
- DIR Hangover Information
- PBM Merger Timeline
- Spread Pricing Infographic
- Insurer/PBM/GPO/Pharmacy vertical integration chart
- 2022 NCPA Advocacy Annual Report
Priority Legislation
- S. 127, the PBM Transparency Act of 2023 1-pager
- S. 2052, Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act: Clarifying and Enforcing “Any Willing Pharmacy” Law and Regulations
- H.R. 1613/S. 1038, the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act 1-pager
- H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act 1-pager
