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LD 1580

An Act To Prohibit Pharmacy Benefits Managers From Imposing Certain Fees And Pricing

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bridgeo and 8 co-sponsors

Prohibits spread pricing and certain PBM fees in Maine, boosting price transparency and protecting pharmacies, payers, and consumers.

Signed by Governor
#healthcareservices #pharmacies #pharmacybenefitsmanagement
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Bill Summary · LD 1580

Summary — LD 1580 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Prohibit Pharmacy Benefits Managers From Imposing Certain Fees And Pricing
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Introduced: April 10, 2025
Status: Enacted — Signed by Governor (June 12, 2025)
Amendment adopted: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑543)

Purpose

LD 1580 prohibits certain pricing practices and fees by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and carriers — in particular the use of "spread pricing" — with the intent of increasing pricing transparency and limiting PBM practices that can reduce reimbursements to pharmacies or increase costs to payers.

Key provisions (high-level)

  • Prohibits PBMs and carriers from using spread pricing (charging a payer more than the PBM reimburses the pharmacy and retaining the difference).
  • Prohibits the imposition of certain fees and pricing practices by PBMs (the enacted bill as amended addresses specific categories of fees/pricing; the bill was passed as amended by Committee Amendment H‑543).
  • Establishes private enforcement pathways and/or civil remedies (the fiscal notes indicate a potential for additional civil suits; the bill text provides the enforcement mechanism).
  • Applies to PBMs and carriers operating in Maine; implementation and compliance obligations are imposed on those entities.

(Note: The public documents provided are fiscal notes and legislative actions; the precise statutory text and detailed list of prohibited fees are contained in the enrolled/printed bill and Committee Amendment H‑543.)

Who is affected

  • Pharmacy Benefits Managers (primary target of restrictions)
  • Health carriers and third‑party payers that contract with PBMs
  • Retail and independent pharmacies (likely beneficiaries of prohibited spread pricing)
  • Employers, insurers, and Maine residents who pay for prescription drug coverage (indirectly affected)
  • Courts (potentially receiving additional civil suits)

Fiscal impact and other effects

  • Fiscal notes (May 31 and June 9, 2025) estimate:
    • Minor cost increase to the General Fund
    • Minor revenue increase to the General Fund (from additional court filing fees)
  • Correctional/judicial impact statement: may modestly increase civil suits; additional workload is minimal and requires no new funding at this time.

Legislative timeline / status

  • 2025-04-10: Introduced and referred to committee
  • 2025-05-08 & 05-15: Committee work sessions; committee voted OTP‑AM
  • 2025-06-09: Committee Amendment H‑543 adopted; bill passed to be engrossed as amended
  • 2025-06-10: Passed to be enacted by both chambers
  • 2025-06-12: Signed by Governor — bill enacted into law

Notes

  • This summary is based on the legislative action records and fiscal notes provided. For the exact statutory language (specific prohibited fees, definitions, compliance deadlines, and effective date), consult the enrolled bill as signed or the published statute.

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

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