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HB 1186

RELATING TO BED BUGS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Diamond Garcia and 5 co-sponsors

House Bill 1186 ensures Arkansas Medicaid covers non-opioid pain relief equally to opioids, improving access for patients and supporting safer pain management options.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#bedbugs #infestations #landlords #rentaldwellingunits
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Bill Summary · HB 1186

Summary of House Bill 1186: Pain Relief Parity Act

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: HB 1186
  • Title: Relating to Bed Bugs
  • Introduced: January 22, 2025
  • Status: Referred to HSG, CPC, referral sheet 4
  • Primary Sponsor: Representative Vaught
  • Companion Bill: SB 456

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1186, also known as the Pain Relief Parity Act, aims to ensure equitable access to non-opioid pain relief medications within the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The bill seeks to address the growing concern over opioid prescriptions by promoting the use of non-opioid alternatives for pain management.

Key Provisions

The bill includes the following significant provisions:

  1. Medicaid Formulary Adjustments:

    • The Arkansas Department of Human Services is mandated to revise its formulary and preferred drug list to ensure that non-opioid medications approved by the FDA are not disadvantaged compared to opioid or narcotic drugs.

  2. Coverage Equality:

    • Non-opioid drugs must not be designated as non-preferred if an opioid drug is preferred. This aims to prevent any bias in drug selection that could favor opioids over non-opioid alternatives.

  3. Utilization Controls:

    • The bill prohibits the establishment of more restrictive utilization controls (such as prior authorization or step therapy) for non-opioid drugs compared to those applied to opioid drugs.

Impact

  • Affected Parties:
    • Patients: Individuals enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid Program will benefit from increased access to non-opioid pain relief options.
    • Healthcare Providers: Physicians and pharmacists will have clearer guidelines on prescribing and dispensing pain medications, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
    • Pharmaceutical Companies: Manufacturers of non-opioid medications may see increased demand as a result of the bill's provisions.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 22, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • February 13, 2025: Passed by the House and transmitted to the Senate.
  • April 21, 2025: Bill became Act 960 after passing through the Senate and receiving final approval.
  • Amendments: The bill underwent several amendments to refine its language and provisions, including adjustments to the definitions and requirements for non-opioid medications.

Conclusion

House Bill 1186 represents a significant step towards addressing pain management in Arkansas by promoting non-opioid alternatives within the Medicaid system. By ensuring that these medications are treated equally to opioids, the bill aims to enhance patient care and combat the opioid crisis.

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

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