Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and in looking at our rules and the laws around pharmacy, pharmacy and pharmacists have the ability
• , rules and the laws around pharmacy, rules and the laws around pharmacy, pharmacy<01:52:10.320><
• Now, pharmacy That's in RSA 318.
• respect in the underlying pharmacy respect in the underlying pharmacy practice<02:03:31.440>
• anything in your local pharmacy. anything in your local pharmacy. Followup. Followup.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those pharmacists that stuck around, if you please would rise, I want to welcome the pharmacists, pharmacy
• students, and pharmacy technicians from across the state attending Pharmacy Day at the Capitol today
• on behalf of the Arizona Pharmacy Association.
• The Arizona Pharmacy Association is a professional organization representing Arizona licensed pharmacy
• The Arizona Pharmacy Association is a professional organization representing Arizona licensed pharmacy

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, I'd like to address the Pharmacy Benefit Management unit.
• This action included more than 68,000 claims and 330 pharmacies.
• Those adversely impacted pharmacies will now be made whole plus a return on their injury.
• to PBM practices so that pharmacies are not financially disadvantaged in the process.
• This was due to OptumRx's own negligence and not the fault of pharmacies.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• application of a person seeking a application of a person seeking a pharmacy<00:23:16.679> benefit
• I own pharmacies, and so I've been watching the implementation of this and tracking it very closely.
• Of course, you're seeing a lot of pharmacies closed right now.
• You're seeing pharmacy deserts because of PBMs.
• and so I've been watching the pharmacies and so I've been watching the implementation<00:25:10.120><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met on February 10 with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of agency regulations, most of which were accompanied by staff-suggested amendments for drafting conformity under KRS Chapter 13A. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 9:10, the Secretary of State’s 030 KAR 2:11, the Office of the Attorney General’s 04 KAR 5:10, the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s emergency 201 KAR 17:120, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 301 KAR 2:41, the Department for Environmental Protection’s 401 KAR 47:110 and 48:320, the State Police regulations 502 KAR 1:012 and 1:121, the Department for Public Health’s 902 KAR 4:15, the Department for Medicaid Services’ 907 KAR 1:15, and the Department for Community Based Services’ 921 KAR 1:400 were all discussed and, where applicable, staff amendments were approved without objection. The Workplace Standards emergency regulation 803 KAR 2:320E was also presented without amendment, and the Department of Insurance’s 806 KAR 9:360 was taken up but ultimately deferred at the agency’s request. Several regulations drew brief substantive discussion. The Fish and Wildlife rule on foxhound training enclosures was explained as expanding both commercial and non-commercial provisions for training with dogs involving red fox and coyotes, with enclosure standards intended to protect wildlife inside and outside the facilities. The environmental protection rules were tied to House Bill 478 and addressed permit-by-rule timelines, reporting, and operating standards for certain construction and demolition debris landfills, including sites up to two acres; members asked whether these facilities were private or municipal, and staff said they were a mix, often tied to private demolition contractors or single projects. The State Police fee increase for hazardous materials endorsements was described as reflecting a federal TSA fee change, and the witness estimated the new fee at about $23. The most extended debate concerned the Board of Education’s 704 KAR 3:535 on full-time virtual and remote learning programs. The agency amendment would cap enrollment in such programs at 10% above a district’s prior-year in-person enrollment, while also clarifying accountability, staffing, and monitoring requirements. Education officials said the cap was intended to address concerns about district capacity and student performance, and they cited Cloverport as an example of a district with high virtual participation and participation-rate issues. Members expressed concern that the amendment was too open-ended for regulation and suggested the issue might be better addressed in statute; no motion was made to adopt the agency amendment, so the regulation was left to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The Department of Insurance also discussed implementation of Senate Bill 188, saying it had received more than 3,000 complaints since the law took effect and was still working through enforcement and complaint processing before asking to defer its PBM licensing regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, inside hospitals, emergency rooms, pharmacies, and urgent care settings.
• The Board of Pharmacy has not presented this as an issue.
• It's just the Board of Pharmacy nor the Department of Health has received reports.
• I am a student at the ULM College of Pharmacy, but I am here in my capacity as self.
• Wouldn't get to the pharmacy to get the refills until several days after.

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit manager services for pharmacy benefit manager services for purposes<01:06:11.359> of<
• Yet current law says MMB must hire a pharmacy benefit manager, singular.
• law says MMB must hire a pharmacy law says MMB must hire a pharmacy benefit<01:13:15.040> manager
• <01:13:16.960> The<01:13:17.120> pharmacy benefit manager. Singular.
• The pharmacy benefit manager. Singular.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chief pharmacy officer for Western Health Advantage.
• So you will see it at the pharmacy.
• It's when you go to the pharmacy.
• At the pharmacy? Yeah, at the pharmacy. Okay.
• At the pharmacy. Yeah, at the pharmacy. Okay.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• “The increase in fiscal year 2027–28 and ongoing reflects the addition of new pharmacy benefit manager
• legal requirements related to PBM revenue practices and pharmacy network reforms.
• legal requirements related to PBM revenue practices and pharmacy network reforms.
• , prohibiting discrimination against non-affiliated pharmacies, and requiring PBMs to include any pharmacy
• It just seems to me, you know, pharmacy benefit managers, they're supposed to be adding such a great

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase in fiscal year 2027-28 reflects the addition of new pharmacy benefit manager data to the
• SB 41 builds upon the previously established pharmacy benefit manager...
• SB 41 builds upon the previously established pharmacy benefit manager licensure requirements enacted
• in 2025 through AB 116 by expanding legal requirements related to PBM revenue practices and pharmacy
• , prohibiting discrimination against non-affiliated pharmacies and requiring PBMs to include any pharmacy

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does not include pharmacists or pharmacies under Texas Insurance Code 1458.
• We show you with the Texas Pharmacy Association and yourself, we show you registered for SB 493.
• I'm a pharmacist at Carval Hall Pharmacy in San Antonio.
• I'm testifying today on behalf of Texas Pharmacy Association in support of Senate Bill 493.
• It doesn't go to the pharmacy, does not go to the pharmacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this enables folks to get it at any pharmacy.
• So we found that there are certain pharmacies that refuse to fill Suboxone.
• One of those actually is one of the main pharmacies in downtown St. Louis.
• So Connecticut recently licensed the first mobile retail pharmacy.
• But we were turned down by the Board of Pharmacy, who said that we couldn't license any mobile pharmacies

Summary: The task force meeting opened with new leadership announcements, including Senator Nick Schroer thanking outgoing chair Representative John Black and naming Representative Del Taylor as vice chair. After some initial technical difficulties with audio and Zoom, members reviewed the task force’s statutory charge under Missouri law: to hold hearings on substance use, explore solutions, draft or modify legislation, and produce recommendations for prevention and treatment. The chair said the goal for this year is to develop concrete legislative ideas for the next session, with hearings focused first on field experts and later on alternative therapies and the Department of Mental Health. Dr. Rachel Winograd gave the first major presentation, describing Missouri’s overdose crisis as increasingly complex and driven primarily by fentanyl, now compounded by xylazine and metatomidine. She said overdose deaths have declined for a third straight year, with preliminary 2025 data around 1,200 deaths, and attributed the decline to a smaller fentanyl supply, wider naloxone availability, and fewer young people entering use. Her main recommendations were to focus on reducing harm rather than trying to eliminate drug use, expand evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder—especially methadone and buprenorphine—improve access to naloxone, and loosen methadone regulations, including take-home doses, the federal 72-hour rule, and broader methadone units. She also emphasized that peer support, housing, transportation, and other practical supports matter, and noted that naloxone can still reverse fentanyl overdoses even when tranquilizers are present. Dr. Heidi Miller, the state medical director, followed with two recommendations: integrate substance use disorder care into whole-person health care and follow the science when considering substance-related legislation. She argued that primary care, maternal health, workforce training, EMS, public health, and methadone access should all be part of a coordinated model, and said reimbursement should support teams rather than isolated providers. She also urged stronger enforcement of parity between behavioral health/SUD and physical health coverage, and highlighted tobacco and alcohol as major, under-addressed causes of death in Missouri. Dr. Doug Burgess then reinforced the need for a coordinated continuum of care, comparing substance use treatment to the seamless system used for heart attacks, and said patients should have standardized assessment, discharge planning from day one, transition coordinators, peer recovery coaches, and better information-sharing between levels of care. Members asked questions about relapse, treatment court, EMS referral barriers, reimbursement, and whether buprenorphine can be started in the field; no votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue hearing testimony and use it to shape future policy recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are pharmacies allowed to continue selling THC and hemp-related products?” “Mr.
• The pharmacy thing really kind of blows my mind. I have to be honest with you.
• And I feel like that does a disservice to those small independent pharmacies.
• But he is, and his wife are small, they own a small independent pharmacy.
• I mean, heck, our pharmacies, our small pharmacies, are going to shut down.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rules that go into effect that directly contradicts the law that we passed last year on the pharmacy
• So, you're saying that the pharmacy board declared an, quote unquote, emergency and then raised their
• I was trying to find the verbiage here. uh in the pharmacy board where in uh in the pharmacy board where
• year on the pharmacy board. year on the pharmacy board. um<00:11:29.279> the<00:11:29.760
• <00:11:52.079> board<00:11:53.120> declared saying that the pharmacy board declared

Bills: HB59, SB15, SB96, SB104, SB137

Keywords: public accountancy, CPA licensing, board regulations, educational prerequisites, electronic notifications, firm registration, assignment, creditors, insolvency, liquidation, assignee, secured transaction, bankruptcy, state law, voluntary process, distribution of assets, emergency rules, governor certification, state regulations, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine living in fear of the man behind you at the pharmacy. of the delivery driver, even of your own
• That bystander can file a lawsuit for $100,000 against the pharmacist. assist and the pharmacy.
• And how do the pharmacist and the pharmacy defend themselves?
• That means providers and pharmacies. outside Texas can be sued in Texas courts for lawful conduct in
• What's going to happen to the insurance rates for pharmacies?

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 352 pharmacies at $4.50. 50 cents.
• And then we did some stuff for pharmacy this year.
• And then we did some stuff for pharmacy this year.
• that were um addressing pharmacy issues. that were um addressing pharmacy issues.
• Um, another key and pharmacies better.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• community pharmacies and independent pharmacies, least of which are very below-cost dispensing fees.
• community pharmacies and independent pharmacies, least of which are very below-cost dispensing fees.
• <01:21:24.000> benefit pharmacy benefit pharmacy benefit in<01:21:25.199> particular<01
• <01:21:36.520> and harming uh Community pharmacies and harming uh Community pharmacies and
• :38.960> which independent pharmacies least of which independent pharmacies least of which are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to pick up her refill only to Pharmacy to pick up her refill only to be<00:25:01.200> met<00:
• counter means that many pharmacy counter means that many patients<00:46:38.599> cannot<00:46:
• <00:48:25.079> benefit Therapeutics we're Pharmacy benefit Therapeutics we're Pharmacy benefit
• managers otherwise Pharmacy benefit managers otherwise known<00:54:27.400> as<00:54:27.680>
• level um and again we will like pharmacy level um and again we will like we<01:05:25.839> will

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• compact change for your practice, the training risk for care, massage therapy, medical radiology, pharmacy
• The bill is the Pharmacy Practice Act.
• It provides for pharmaceutical care according to written protocols, requires the pharmacy to notify the

Bills: LB764, LB815A, LB839, LB888, LB955, LB972A, LB1029, LB1087, LB1091, LB1126A, LB1181A, LB1237A, LB1261A, LB304A, LB762, LB889, LB929, LB966, LB1022, LB1187, LR508

Keywords: law enforcement, correctional services, Department of Correctional Services, corrections officers, state prison employees, peace officer, certification, police standards, training academy, Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Nebraska Police Standards Advisory Council, criminal justice, correctional staff, conditional officer, law enforcement authority, public safety, LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 17 pertains to pharmacy refunds and the timing of those pharmacy refunds paid under the legend
• Section 17 pertains to pharmacy refunds and the timing of those pharmacy refunds paid under the legend
• Section 17 pertains to pharmacy refunds and the timing of those pharmacy refunds paid under the legend
• Section 17 pertains to pharmacy refunds and the timing of those pharmacy refunds paid under the legend
• :16:02.720> the those uh pharmacy refunds paid under the those uh pharmacy refunds paid under

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 484 reflects $1.84 add-on to the directed pharmacy dispensing payment.
• I'll start with Article 4, which is the pharmacy benefits article.
• The pharmacy adjustments were huge to allow our freestanding community pharmacies to serve our communities
• We agreed on pharmacy like we've heard and agree with on cheerleading.
• We helped pharmacies, and that was also great because we have too many pharmacy deserts.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health