Bill Text: NH HB656 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Establishing a committee to study the impact of financial initiatives for commercially insured members by drug manufacturers on prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Passed) 2019-07-24 - Signed by Governor Sununu 07/19/2019; Chapter 267; Eff: 07/19/2019 [HB656 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2019-HB656-Amended.html

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HB 656 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

05/30/2019   2389s

2019 SESSION

19-0799

01/03

 

HOUSE BILL 656

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the impact of financial initiatives for commercially insured members by drug manufacturers on prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Butler, Carr. 7; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8; Rep. Knirk, Carr. 3; Rep. Hennessey, Graf. 1; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Sherman, Dist 24

 

COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study the impact of financial initiatives for commercially insured members by drug manufacturers on prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

05/30/2019   2389s 19-0799

01/03

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the impact of financial initiatives for commercially insured members by drug manufacturers on prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study the impact of financial initiatives for commercially insured members by drug manufacturers on prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.

I.  The committee shall study how financial initiatives for commercially insured members impact the cost of prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums.  The committee’s study shall include, but not be limited to:

(a)  Identifying current financial assistance initiatives for commercially insured members provided by drug manufacturers, both directly and indirectly.

(b)  How the use of free drug samples, copay coupons, and drug discount cards affects the health plan formularies, use of medications, charges, and payment rates for drugs.

(c)  How the use of free drug samples, drug copay coupons, and drug discount cards affects medical cost trends and health insurance premiums.

(d)  How drug manufacturer financial assistance with member cost sharing coordinates within commercial health insurance cost sharing structures, including high deductible health insurance plans.

(e)  Examining persons, entities, and organizations that benefit from consumer use of drug manufacturer provided financial assistance to commercially insured members.

(f)  How the use of drug manufacturer provided financial assistance drives market share of certain prescription drugs.

(g)  Identifying funding provided to patient advocacy groups by drug manufacturers, either directly or indirectly.

(h)  Reviewing legislation from other states and the results of such legislation.

(i)  How drug manufacturer financial assistance initiatives benefit consumers who cannot otherwise afford their prescription medication.

(j)  Proposing changes to New Hampshire law to reduce the rising cost of pharmaceuticals.

II.  The committee shall prioritize studying drug copay coupons with the intent of either proposing an amendment to HB 717-FN of the 2019 regular legislative session or proposing new legislation for the 2020 legislative session.

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5  Report.  The committee shall make a report with its interim findings by November 1, 2019 to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library.  The interim report shall contain any recommendations for proposed legislation on drug copay coupon programs.  The committee shall make a final report with any further recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2020 to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.