2019 -- H 6260

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LC002930

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION TO EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND

GUIDELINES FOR STEP THERAPY PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROTOCOLS

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Shekarchi, Cortvriend, Edwards, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: June 27, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Various health plans provided by health insurers, nonprofit hospital service

corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations use

step therapy protocols to optimize prescribing prescription medications and control costs incurred

for prescription medications by requiring that patients first try lower cost alternatives before

gaining access to more expensive options; and

     WHEREAS, A valid concern is that this approach can impede immediate access to vital

treatments by requiring patients to try therapies that have previously been proven less effective or

wholly ineffective; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House, not more

than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of

whom shall be a representative from a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Medical

Society, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Health, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be representatives from the health insurance industry,

to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a licensed pharmacist from a

retail chain, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a member of the

public, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative from

the pharmaceutical industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a

representative from the American Cancer Society, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

and one of whom shall be the President of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHP), or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to examine current clinical guidelines,

screening, policies, and procedures for step therapy prescription drug protocols used by insurers,

health plans, and various health care providers and recommend possible alternative options,

appeal procedures, and screening methods to provide for more immediate coverage and

eligibility, and review the cost impact for the utilization and prescription of augmented

prescription drugs.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select from among the legislators, a

chairperson

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than April 28, 2020, and said commission shall expire on May

28, 2020.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION TO EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND

GUIDELINES FOR STEP THERAPY PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROTOCOLS

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     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member special legislative commission

whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive review and recommend guidelines for step

therapy protocols, and who would report back to the House of Representatives no later than April

28, 2020, and whose life would expire on May 28, 2020.

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