WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 665

relative to pharmacy benefits managers, managed care laws, notice of drug pricing options and pharmacy benefit manager business practices.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Birdsell and 14 co-sponsors

SB 665 requires New Hampshire pharmacies to charge customers the lowest available prescription drug price, eliminating situations where insurance copays exceed discounted cash rates.

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 665

Legislative bill overview

SB 665 would require New Hampshire pharmacies to offer consumers the lowest available price for prescription drugs, regardless of insurance coverage or pharmacy benefit manager agreements. The bill aims to prevent customers from paying more than necessary when lower prices are obtainable through cash or alternative payment methods.

Why is this important

Prescription drug costs significantly impact household budgets and medication adherence. In practice, some patients pay more through insurance copays than the actual cash price available at the pharmacy, creating a perverse incentive where insurance intermediaries effectively inflate costs. This bill addresses a consumer protection gap affecting both insured and uninsured residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contracts: Pharmacies operate under negotiated agreements with PBMs that may prohibit advertising lower prices or require minimum copay amounts, creating legal and contractual conflicts with this mandate.
  • Reimbursement concerns: Pharmacies may argue that being forced to discount prices without corresponding changes to insurance reimbursement structures undermines their business operations and margins.
  • Implementation complexity: Determining and communicating "lowest available price" across multiple payment methods, insurance plans, and price discount programs creates operational and technological challenges.

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

Sign in to ask a question.