HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2598        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1124

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing a commission to study the promotion of preferred pharmacy networks.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

2/12/2021

Susan Williams Gifford

2nd Plymouth

2/25/2021

Norman J. Orrall

12th Bristol

2/26/2021

Paul K. Frost

7th Worcester

3/11/2021

Mathew J. Muratore

1st Plymouth

3/24/2021

Steven S. Howitt

4th Bristol

3/31/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2598        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1124

By Mr. Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1124) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to establishing a commission (including members of the General Court) to study the promotion of preferred pharmacy networks where insurers can negotiate lower drug prices.  Financial Services.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act establishing a commission to study the promotion of preferred pharmacy networks.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a commission to study the implementation of preferred pharmacy networks, whereby health insurers steer consumers to lower cost “preferred” pharmacies where insurers can negotiate lower drug prices.

SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on health care financing, who shall serve as the co-chairs; one member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; one member to be appointed by the president of the senate; one member to be appointed by the house minority leader; one member to be appointed by the senate minority leader; the director of the health policy commission or a designee; the commissioner of the department of public health or a designee; and the executive director of the center for health information and analysis or a designee.

SECTION 3. The commission shall study the feasibility of implementing preferred pharmacy networks, and make recommendations based on a cost-benefit analysis of such networks. The commission shall provide estimates of projected savings in prescription drug costs from implementing such networks.

SECTION 4. The commission shall submit its report and findings, along with any recommendations and drafted legislation, to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on health care financing, and the clerks of the house of representatives and senate within 12 months of the passage of this act.