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Bill

Bill

A 115

Requires the commissioner of health to include in annual reports information regarding the cost and increase in cost of certain prescription drugs

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger

Requires NY Dept of Health to add data on drug costs and price increases for certain meds to its annual reports, boosting transparency for policymakers, providers, and patients.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · A 115

Summary of Bill A 115

Overview

Bill A 115 is a New York Assembly measure introduced on January 8, 2025 and currently referred to the Health Committee. The primary objective of the bill is to increase transparency around prescription drug pricing by requiring the state Commissioner of Health to include information about the cost and cost increases of certain prescription drugs in the annual health department reports. The sponsor listed is Sam Berger (primary).

Purpose and Intent

  • To provide greater visibility into how much certain prescription drugs cost and how those costs change over time.
  • To inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public about price trends that may affect access to medications and insurance burden.
  • To embed cost-information on prescription drugs into existing annual reporting produced by the Department of Health.

Key Provisions (as described)

  • The Commissioner of Health would be required to include information in the department’s annual reports.
  • The information must pertain to the cost and the increase in cost of certain prescription drugs. The bill text (not provided here) would specify which drugs are included (e.g., by therapeutic category, cost thresholds, or other criteria) and the precise data to be reported.
  • The reporting would be integrated into the annual report framework currently produced by the Department of Health (or its equivalent annual reporting cycle).

Note: The exact definitions of “certain prescription drugs,” the data elements to be reported (e.g., current price, year-over-year increase, price indices, patient out-of-pocket impact), and any methodologies would be specified in the bill’s text.

Affected Parties

  • State Department of Health and its Commissioner (primary administrator of the reporting requirement).
  • Other stakeholders that rely on health cost data, including policymakers, health care providers, insurers, patient advocacy groups, and researchers—who would gain access to enhanced cost-information within official state reports.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Health (as of January 8, 2025).
  • Legislative Actions: On January 8, 2025, the bill was referred to the Health Committee. The action appears twice in the record, indicating perhaps multiple entries or stages on the same date.
  • Introduction Date: January 8, 2025.

Related and Companion Legislation

  • Companion: S 5399 (listed as related) with additional cross-links to companion status.
  • Related Assembly bills from prior sessions: A 8836, A 2861, A 7922, A 741.
  • The presence of companion and related bills suggests ongoing interest in prescription drug cost transparency across sessions.

Sponsor

  • Sam Berger (primary sponsor).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Benefits: Improved transparency on drug pricing, potential to inform policy discussions on drug affordability, and better data for evaluating access and cost burdens.
  • Burdens: Additional data collection and reporting requirements for the Department of Health; potential need for data standards and collaboration with other agencies or stakeholders to compile accurate figures.
  • Implementation: The bill’s effectiveness will depend on the scope of “certain prescription drugs” and the chosen metrics; the final text would clarify data sources, definitions, and reporting formats.

Next Steps

  • Await committee consideration and the full text to understand the exact scope, data elements, and methodology.
  • Monitor related companion bills (e.g., S 5399) for alignment and potential amendments.

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

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