PA Bill Targeting PBMs, IL Laws Prohibiting ‘Predatory’ Insurance Practices & More

PA Lawmakers Pass Bill Regulating PBMs

The Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill (HB 1993) aimed at increasing oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. If signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), the measure would prohibit PBMs from requiring patients to use a PBM-affiliated pharmacy, a practice known as “patient steering,” among other things. (PENNSYLVANIA CAPITAL-STAR, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET)

IL Gov Outlaws Insurers’ ‘Predatory Tactics’

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed measures aimed at prohibiting what he described as insurance companies’ “predatory tactics to make an extra dime.” One of the measures, HB 5395, bans so-called “step therapy,” requiring patients to try more cost-effective treatments before more costly ones, even if recommended by their physician, as well as prohibits prior authorization for in-patient mental health treatment. The other, HB 2499. prohibits so-called “junk insurance,” policies offering only limited coverage or lacking consumer protections. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, LEXIS NEXIS STATE NET) 

Explosive Growth of National Mental Health Crisis Hotline

In the two years since the federal government provided $1 billion in seed money for the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 10 states have adopted monthly phone line fees to fund 988 call centers, and 30 states have approved funding for core services of the program. Maryland has seen a 50% increase in the number of 988 calls and a 1,000% increase in the number of text messages since 2022. (PLURIBUS NEWS)

—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK

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