Blog
Legislative Update
- By: admin
- On: 01/22/2024 12:44:38
- In: KPhA Updates
While most of Kentucky was shut down last week, our General Assembly combatted the frigid temps and convened in the Capitol to get to work. The great thaw is expected this week, and in return, we are sure to see more committee meetings and pharmacy-related bills moving through Frankfort. Below is a brief pharmacy roundup that crystallized during the Arctic blast.
KPhA Priority Bill Filed: Extending Pharmacists' Immunization Authority to Age 3+
House Bill 274
Our profession's own Rep. Bentley (R-Russell) has filed the highly anticipated HB 274 which would codify a former Federal PREP Act provision allowing pharmacists to immunize patients as young as age 3 with a prescriber-authorized protocol. The legislation has not yet been referred to a committee but does have six other Representatives already signed on as co-sponsors. You can ask your Representative to join and show their support here.
Click here to read HB 274
KPhA Priority Bill Filed: Extending Pharmacists' Immunization Authority to Age 3+KPhA Priority Bill Filed: Extending Pharmacists' Immunization Authority to Age 3+
House Bill 274
Our profession's own Rep. Bentley (R-Russell) has filed the highly anticipated HB 274 which would codify a former Federal PREP Act provision allowing pharmacists to immunize patients as young as age 3 with a prescriber-authorized protocol. The legislation has not yet been referred to a committee but does have six other Representatives already signed on as co-sponsors. You can ask your Representative to join and show their support here.
Click here to read HB 274
House Bill 274
Our profession's own Rep. Bentley (R-Russell) has filed the highly anticipated HB 274 which would codify a former Federal PREP Act provision allowing pharmacists to immunize patients as young as age 3 with a prescriber-authorized protocol. The legislation has not yet been referred to a committee but does have six other Representatives already signed on as co-sponsors. You can ask your Representative to join and show their support here.
Click here to read HB 274
Anti-mandatory mail order bill introduced
House Bill 190
Rep. Scott Sharp (R-Ashland) filed HB 190 that would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers or health insurers from requiring patients to use a mail-order pharmacy. It would cover both commercial and state employee plans. The bill has not been referred to a committee.
Click here to read HB 190
Gene therapy labeling and informed consent requirements
House Bill 229
Amends the Kentucky Food Drug and Cosmetic Act by requiring that a product, including prescription drugs that are either known gene therapy products or could be gene therapy, be labeled as such. Additionally, the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway (R-Louisville), would require informed consent of any patient or any person who could potentially be harmed by the product to be obtained by the person prior to dispensing the drug or furnishing the product.
Click here to read HB 229
Allow insurers to try biosimilar products before the brand-name drug
House Bill 220
Legislation filed by Rep. Amy Neighbors (R-Edmonton) would amend the recently adopted step therapy bill to allow health insurers to try biosimilar products prior to reimbursing for the brand-named biologic product. The bill was introduced last session, but it did not advance.
Click here to read HB 220
Bill filed to prohibit governmental entities from requiring COVID vaccines in children
House Bill 177
Rep. Rebecca Raymer (R-Morgantown) filed HB 177 that would prohibit the state or local governments, including school boards, from requiring children to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This would remove any requirement for the child to have a religious or medical exemption to be exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination. The bill has not been assigned to a committee. It is one of several bills this session targeting vaccinations.
Click here to read HB 177
Proposal to limit the number of Medicaid managed care organizations advances
Senate Bill 24
Sen. Stephen Meredith (R-Leitchfield) once again filed legislation to limit the number of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to no more than three. SB 24 passed 32-0-1 but has not been assigned to a committee in the House.
Click here to read SB 24
While there have not been many committee meetings so far in the 2024 session, bills are being assigned to a committee, and one bill has already been sent to the governor for his signature or veto. As always, the standing committee schedule can be found here (but note plenty of committees cancel their meetings or change the start time) and the daily schedule can be found here. Remember, Kentucky Educational Television (KET) livestreams Senate and House proceedings as well as many committee meetings. You can find live streams and archival video on KET's website.