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HB 6870

AN ACT ADDRESSING PATIENTS' PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Delnicki and 2 co-sponsors

Reduces patients' out-of-pocket drug costs by allowing regulated importation and stronger price transparency/oversight, with enforcement and reporting to track savings.

TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR
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Bill Summary · HB 6870

HB 6870 — AN ACT ADDRESSING PATIENTS' PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

Status: Tabled for House Calendar
Introduced: February 6, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill is intended to reduce out‑of‑pocket prescription drug costs for patients. Based on the bill title and the listed subjects, it proposes a multi‑faceted approach involving drug importation, regulation of wholesalers and manufacturers, consumer protections, reporting and study requirements, and enforcement mechanisms to curb high drug prices.

Key provisions (as indicated by bill subject headings)

The legislative file provided does not include the bill text. However, the subjects and classification indicate the bill likely includes one or more of the following components:

  • Prescription drug importation: provisions to permit or facilitate importation of prescription drugs from Canada (or other jurisdictions) to lower costs for consumers, subject to federal approval and state regulatory controls.
  • Regulation of drug wholesalers and manufacturers: enhanced oversight, licensing, or transparency requirements for distributors and pharmaceutical companies.
  • Consumer protection measures: rules to limit surprise price increases, require price transparency or disclosure of out‑of‑pocket costs, and protect patients from unfair practices.
  • Health insurance interactions: changes in insurer reimbursement, formulary requirements, or patient cost‑sharing limits to reduce patient expenses.
  • Reporting and studies: requirements for the Department of Consumer Protection, Insurance, or a designated state agency to study prices, submit reports, or track savings and market impacts.
  • Enforcement and penalties: civil fines or other penalties for violations by manufacturers, wholesalers, or other regulated entities.
  • State budget considerations: provisions that could affect the state budget (costs or savings) and therefore referrals to Appropriations and fiscal analysis.

Who would be affected

  • Patients and insured consumers (potentially lower out‑of‑pocket costs)
  • Health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (changes to coverage/cost structures)
  • Pharmacies, wholesalers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers (new reporting, compliance, licensing, or penalties)
  • State agencies (new oversight, reporting, and implementation responsibilities)
  • Potentially taxpayers if the state implements importation programs or covers transitional costs

Procedural / Timeline aspects

  • Introduced: 02/06/2025
  • Public hearing held: 02/18/2025
  • Referred to Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate; later to Judiciary and Appropriations
  • Joint favorable reports recorded (03/11, 03/25/27, 05/05)
  • Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis (03/26/25)
  • Filed with LCO and reported out multiple times (03/27, 04/28, 05/06)
  • Current status: Tabled for House Calendar (05/06/2025)

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Potential patient savings depend on specifics (e.g., price caps, importation scale) and federal approval for importation.
  • Implementation may impose administrative costs on state agencies and require coordination with federal regulators.
  • Legal and logistical challenges (supply chain, safety standards, liability) are common when establishing state importation programs.
  • Fiscal impacts unknown; the bill was referred to Appropriations and for fiscal analysis, indicating anticipated budgetary effects.

Note: This summary is based on the bill title, subjects, and legislative history provided. The full text of HB 6870 would be required for a definitive list of statutory changes, exact enforcement mechanisms, dollar amounts, and precise implementation timelines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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