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HB 919

INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers (RE +$238,163 SG EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beryl Amedée and 19 co-sponsors

HB 919 imposes new regulatory requirements on Louisiana pharmacy benefit managers, costing $238,163 in state implementation expenses.

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Insurance.
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Bill Summary · HB 919

Legislative bill overview

HB 919 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Louisiana by imposing new requirements on their operations, transparency, and conduct. The bill carries a fiscal note of $238,163 in state general fund expenditures, suggesting implementation and oversight costs. PBMs are intermediaries between insurers, employers, and pharmacies that manage prescription drug benefits and pricing.

Why is this important

PBMs significantly influence drug prices and pharmacy access for Louisiana residents. Regulatory changes to PBM practices can affect medication affordability, which pharmacy networks participate in insurance plans, and how much patients pay at the pharmacy counter. The fiscal cost indicates the state must invest resources to enforce new rules, which ultimately impacts state budgets and taxpayers.

Potential points of contention

  • PBM industry pushback: National PBM corporations may challenge Louisiana-specific regulations as burdensome, potentially arguing they increase costs passed to consumers or threaten service availability
  • Transparency vs. proprietary concerns: New disclosure requirements may conflict with PBMs' claimed need to protect confidential business practices and negotiating strategies
  • Implementation burden: The $238,163 cost reflects state administrative overhead; unclear whether regulations effectively reduce drug costs or merely shift expenses without consumer benefit

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

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