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Bill

H 202

An act relating to increasing the transparency of prescription drug costs and spending

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mari Cordes

Increase transparency of prescription drug costs and spending in Vermont by requiring reporting and accessible data on prices, rebates, and total drug costs.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 202

Overview

H 202 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) is titled An act relating to increasing the transparency of prescription drug costs and spending. The bill aims to improve public visibility into prescription drug pricing and related spending, with the goal of informing consumers, policymakers, and stakeholders about cost drivers and opportunities for cost containment.

Main purpose and intent

  • Increase transparency around prescription drug costs and spending in Vermont.
  • Provide data and reporting mechanisms to reveal how drug prices are set, how much is spent, and how costs impact patients and the healthcare system.
  • Support informed decision-making by purchasers (e.g., employers, insurers, state programs) and by the public.

Key provisions and changes (subject to final text)

  • Reporting requirements: Establish or expand reporting on prescription drug prices, rebates, discounts, and total cost of care related to drugs.
  • Price and spending disclosures: Require specific disclosures from manufacturers, wholesalers, payers, or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) regarding drug costs, price changes, and unaffordable or high-priced medications.
  • Data access and format: Provide data in accessible formats to policymakers, healthcare providers, and possibly the public, while addressing privacy and competitive concerns.
  • Comparative benchmarks: Potential establishment of benchmarks or indices to compare drug prices across manufacturers, therapeutic classes, or regions.
  • Oversight and enforcement: Create or empower a state entity (e.g., a health care committee or department) to collect data, monitor trends, and enforce reporting requirements.
  • Consumer protections: Include provisions aimed at reducing barriers to accessing affordable medications, potentially by highlighting price variations or supporting programs to curb out-of-pocket costs.
  • Collaboration with stakeholders: Require coordination with health plans, PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers to obtain accurate data.

Note: The bill’s exact text would determine the specific agencies involved, reporting timelines, data elements required, penalties for noncompliance, and any exemptions. The summary above reflects common components of transparency-focused drug-cost legislation.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies and departments responsible for health care, insurance, and consumer protection.
  • Prescription drug manufacturers, wholesalers, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operating in Vermont.
  • Health insurers, employers (as group purchasers), and public programs that administer or pay for prescription drugs.
  • Healthcare providers and pharmacies, to the extent data collection or reporting interfaces with practice workflows.
  • The general public and Vermont patients, who could benefit from greater cost visibility and potential price reductions or improved access.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was read in the House on February 12, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Health Care.
  • Next steps: The Committee on Health Care would review, possibly amend, and advance the bill toward floor consideration. If approved, it would proceed through the normal legislative process (debate, potential additional committees, readings, and votes in both chambers) and may encounter reconciliation steps between House and Senate versions.
  • Potential implementation timeline: Depending on enacted provisions, compliance deadlines for reporting and data submission could be phased (e.g., within 6–12 months after enactment) to allow affected entities to prepare systems for data collection and reporting.

Additional notes

  • Co-sponsor: Mari Cordes.
  • The bill’s effectiveness hinges on the precise data elements required, the authority of the enforcing body, confidentiality safeguards, and any exemptions for small manufacturers or sensitive commercial information.
  • If you need, I can tailor this summary to include specific sections once the final bill text is available.

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

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