Bill
S 5399
Requires NY Health Commissioner to include in annual reports data on the cost and rising cost of certain prescription drugs, boosting transparency for lawmakers and the public.
S 5399 — Summary of Bill
Overview
- Bill number: S 5399
- Title: Requires the commissioner of health to include in annual reports information regarding the cost and increase in cost of certain prescription drugs
- Purpose: To enhance transparency by mandating that the state Commissioner of Health incorporate data on the cost and rising costs of selected prescription drugs into the department’s annual reports.
- Status: Referred to the Health committee
- Introduced: February 21, 2025
- Primary sponsor: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
Key Provisions
- Primary mandate: The bill would require the commissioner of health to include in the department’s annual reports information about the cost and the increase in cost of certain prescription drugs.
- Scope of reporting: The specific drugs considered “certain prescription drugs” and the metrics used to define “cost” and “increase in cost” would be determined by the bill’s text (definitions and methodology would be laid out in the enacted provisions). The summary does not specify the subset of drugs or the calculation methods.
- Reporting format: The bill would require the inclusion of cost data and cost-trend information within the annual report published by the commissioner of health.
- Purpose of data: While not explicitly stated in the summary, the intended use is typically to inform lawmakers and the public about price trends and affordability concerns related to prescription medications.
Definition and Scope (Notes)
- The summary does not provide detailed definitions for terms such as “certain prescription drugs,” “cost,” or the measurement period for “increase in cost.” The enacted text would clarify these definitions, data sources, and methodology.
Affected Parties
- Primary: New York State Department of Health (commissioner) and the annual health department report processes.
- Secondary: State legislators, policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, patients, and the public interested in prescription drug affordability and pricing trends.
Legislative History and Related Bills
- Related/companion bills: A 115 (companion), A 7922, A 741, S 8587, A 2861 (prior-session). These related bills indicate prior consideration in the legislature of drug cost transparency and related health pricing transparency measures.
- Status context: As of the provided information, the bill is in the Health committee stage.
Potential Impacts
- Transparency: Increases visibility of prescription drug costs and price changes within official state health reporting.
- Policy signal: Provides data that could inform future cost-containment, pricing, or reimbursement policy discussions.
- Administrative: May require the health department to collect, verify, and analyze drug cost data and determine which drugs are subject to reporting.
Next Steps/What to Watch
- Await committee actions on S 5399, including any amendments specifying definitions, data sources, reporting formats, and implementation timelines.
- Monitor related bills (notably companion and prior-session measures) for converging language or expanded requirements.
- Review the full text upon release to understand any reporting deadlines, data privacy considerations, and the exact drugs covered.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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