Insurance & Commerce- House
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Bills discussed (25)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1531
Act 630
· 3 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “proceed with HB 1531. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee, before presenting, I'd li…”
|
TO PROHIBIT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS FROM RESTRICTING OR LIMITING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO A LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NETWORK … | Achor | Notification that HB1531 is now Act 630 |
|
HB1771
Act 651
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “HB 1771. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman, if you would to introduce yourself…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURES TO POLICYHOLDERS; AND TO REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTING BY INSURERS. | R. Murdock | Notification that HB1771 is now Act 651 |
|
HB1055
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…Tosh Rep. Jim Wooten REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1055 J. Mayberry TO ESTABLISH COVERAGE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT T…”
|
TO ESTABLISH COVERAGE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT TO SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR OTHER … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1295
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. HB1295 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTION…”
|
TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTIONS TRANSPARENCY ACT. | L. Johnson | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1297
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1297 L. Johnson CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ALGORITHMS,…”
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CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ALGORITHMS, AND OTHER AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGIES; AND TO REGULATE CERTAIN PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE … | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1426
Act 569
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1426 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE HEALTHCARE CONTRACTING SIMPLIFICATI…”
|
TO AMEND THE HEALTHCARE CONTRACTING SIMPLIFICATION ACT. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1426 is now Act 569 |
|
HB1443
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS. HB1443 Pilkington TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY…”
|
TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PAYMENT NETWORKS … | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1735
Act 813
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…; AND TO REGULATE CERTAIN PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE INSURERS. HB1735 Eaves TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE P…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE PREVENTION ACT; AND TO REVISE MEMBERSHIP IN THE … | Eaves | Notification that HB1735 is now Act 813 |
|
HB1811
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…estrictions designating areas as 'Members and Staff Only'. HB1811 Steimel TO AMEND PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LAW; AND TO REQUIRE…”
|
TO AMEND PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LAW; AND TO REQUIRE REASONABLE PROOF OF PAYMENT OF A … | Steimel | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1813
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…P RECOVERABLE DEPRECIATION UNDER PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LAW. HB1813 Gramlich TO ADOPT THE FAIR AND EFFICIENT TRANSMISSION COMPA…”
|
TO ADOPT THE FAIR AND EFFICIENT TRANSMISSION COMPACT. | Gramlich | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
SB323
Act 516
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB323 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE HORIZONTAL PROPERTY ACT.”
|
TO AMEND THE HORIZONTAL PROPERTY ACT. | J. Bryant | Notification that SB323 is now Act 516 |
|
SB405
Act 555
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB405 J. Dismang TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM…”
|
TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM ACT. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB405 is now Act 555 |
|
HB1009
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. HB1009 A. Collins TO ALLOW PREGNANCY TO BE A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR…”
|
TO ALLOW PREGNANCY TO BE A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR ENROLLMENT IN CERTAIN HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1014
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…FYING EVENT FOR ENROLLMENT IN CERTAIN HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. HB1014 A. Collins TO REQUIRE COVERAGE OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION UN…”
|
TO REQUIRE COVERAGE OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION UNDER THE STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1150
Act 624
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1150 J. Moore TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAI…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1150 is now Act 624 |
|
HB1159
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EALTH BENEFIT PLANS. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1159 J. Richardson TO CREATE THE RETAIL CONVENIENCE STORE SECURI…”
|
TO CREATE THE RETAIL CONVENIENCE STORE SECURITY ACT; AND TO REGULATE SECURITY MEASURES AT RETAIL … | J. Richardson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1308
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1308 Steimel CONCERNING UNFAIR PRACTICES RELATED TO RESIDENTIAL…”
|
CONCERNING UNFAIR PRACTICES RELATED TO RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPAIR CONTRACTS; AND TO REGULATE SOLICITING RESIDENTIAL … | Steimel | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1354
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…E INSPECTORS. PENDING FISCAL IMPACT Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1354 Lundstrum TO REGULATE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS; TO AMEND…”
|
TO REGULATE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL … | Lundstrum | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1409
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TO REGULATE SECURITY MEASURES AT RETAIL CONVENIENCE STORES. HB1409 Long TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; AND TO CREATE THE E…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; AND TO CREATE THE ELECTRIC RELIABILITY ACT. | Long | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1625
Act 974
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1625 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS. | Barnett | Notification that HB1625 is now Act 974 |
|
HB1659
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ACIST SERVICES IN THE PSYCHIATRIC COLLABORATIVE CARE MODEL. HB1659 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE; AND TO CLARI…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE; AND TO CLARIFY THE PRIORITY AMONG SECURITY INTERESTS AND … | S. Meeks | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB104
Act 514
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB104 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LI…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; TO PROTECT PATIENTS' RIGHTS AND ACCESS … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB104 is now Act 514 |
|
SB237
Act 554
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB237 J. Boyd TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGUL…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS. | J. Boyd | Notification that SB237 is now Act 554 |
|
SB309
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. SB309 D. Sullivan TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT;…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT; TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "PSYCHIATRIC COLLABORATIVE … | D. Sullivan | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB366
Act 427
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB366 J. Boyd TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO…”
|
TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES PROGRAM … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB366 is now Act 427 |
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- October 2, 2026
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
0:07
HB 1771. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman, if you would to introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony. Thank
Representative Mark Perry
Unverified
0:16
you very much, y'all. House Bill 1771, is it a It is an act to amend a law concerning disclosures to policyholders. So we all know health insurance is, is costly and especially for employers and what this will do is this will allow an employer to request more detailed information from their current carrier regarding
Claims, uh, prescription claims and medical claims. For group sizes of 25 or more, um, we've encountered some instances where companies were not willing to provide that information because they weren't over 500 employees and as we all know, there's a lot of groups sizes out there that are less than 500 employees who could use the help in saving money on group health insurance. So that's what this bill will do and uh haven't received any
opposition the insurance department's review. it And I'll entertain any questions. Thank you, Representative Perry. Any questions from the committee? OK. Seeing none,
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:19
is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak against this bill. I would like to speak for this bill? Reverend Perry, you recognize the close. I'm close, and I'd recommend a motion to pass. I have a motion to pass by Representative Perry. All in favor say aye. Any post say no. Congratulations, you have passed your bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:44
Representative Acer, if you would like to go to the end of the table and
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
2:07
proceed with HB 1531. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee, before presenting, I'd like to request two guests from Kartai to meet me at the table and introduce themselves.
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
2:17
Absolutely, um, come to the table, introduce yourself and who you're with, um, and also, and then, and then you can proceed with your testimony and also I believe you have a handout that staff is going to pass up. Yes, please. Thank you. It's Yeah. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.
Adam Head
Unverified
2:41
Committee. My name is Adam Head. I'm the president and CEO of Carti. We're a cancer provider with locations around the state. Misty.
Speaker 23
2:55
Good afternoon. We appreciate your time, Mr. Chair and committee. Um, I am Misty Harvey, I am the administrator and chief clinical officer at Cartai, and I am a licensed pharmacist.
Speaker 2
3:08
Thank you. Proceed with your testimony. Thank you. House
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
3:11
Bill 1531 in its intent and in its totality actually is a pretty simple bill, so what currently exists in the drug pipeline manufacturers are afforded the opportunity to create what's called a limited distribution
network. And what that is is basically there are high complex, high cost drugs that require significant patient care and handling, um, they're allowed to basically isolate. Which pharmacies are allowed to service those. What this bill does is it doesn't disrupt the current network. It simply states that if we have in-state providers who have the experience in credentialing to meet those same quality standards that they will be allowed in to those networks. Um, so when we have issues where
we want patients of high need to receive high care. We believe that that can happen best in state. We want patients to receive same day access, and if they can meet those quality metrics. I believe it is the purview of this body to find that they'd be allowed to do that. So this is not any willing provider, so pharmacies like as many of you know that that I'm involved with wouldn't meet the threshold. These are for highly specialized, highly credentialed pharmacies that again meet the qualifications that are already required to get in the network
and so that if we have any sort of natural disaster or we have any sort of interruption in care, um, these patients will have more options, right? So if the mail order pharmacy that is currently owned by the PBM that is a warehouse in Alabama is the only option for some of these uh uh facilities to receive the medication, um, What if that one gets shut down? I mean, the basic economic principle is that there should be larger opportunity and access for these institutions and these
patients to seek care, as many as you know, um, last session and um. I had um Spent a lot of time at Kartai myself personally, uh, my wife, uh, currently is a patient at Cartai. We were there yesterday and as I've grown to see their capacity and the quality that they for their patients and the specialized, um, care that they do, it's clear that the argument
that they should not be allowed to handle the very meds that they're prescribing and monitoring seems I mean dangerous, honestly, from a from a national security from a state security standpoint to not have access to these medications by the providers who handle them, write them, and monitor them themselves, uh, seems just Unacceptable and I'd like for Adam and Missy to give a little context as to really what makes them qualified and the investments they've made in actually in the state of
Arkansas to take care of patients as opposed to some of these mail order pharmacies who
Adam Head
Unverified
6:11
frankly are not. Thank you, Representative Aker. Kartai is an independent Nonprofit organization based here in Arkansas with locations around the state, as I mentioned earlier. The last several years we've actually made a very significant
investment in making sure that we have licensed pharmacy locations in our cancer centers and clinics around the state with licensed pharmacists on site so we can have experts available and ready to be able to take care of our patients and partner with our providers because of the complex nature of a lot of these drugs. Per our mission being able to Make Cancer care is accessible as possible
Speaker 23
7:03
Misty, do you want to add to that? Sure. I'll speak from the clinical side of the house. Like Adam said, we have invested in licensed pharmac pharmacies and um pharmacists, we have a very integrated model. So the pharmacist, Cartel pharmacists have access to the patient's electronic medical record, to have access to the physician that's taking care of the patient. So, um, and they intervene a lot. They collaborate. A lot of these.
These drugs may be orals, but they can have some really nasty side effects. And so if you get in front of those, oftentimes you get through preventative things that you can do. Before you have to dose reduce or discontinue the drug. So our pharmacist pharmacists or. Part of that integrated model with our physicians. So we don't have to call. You know, another town to speak to the medical oncologist. We can, we have access in the same building, like Adam said. Meeting patients where they are is very important to us, um, and
we want to have access. We, we provide excellent care to our patients and we want to have access to these medications that right now. are just very limited to just a few pharmacies. I'll speak to that again. I think what you're
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
8:19
hearing is that, you know, these providers in
state have the ability to see these patients in real time. They have the ability to serve them the same day. They have the ability for the patient to go home like we do, be scared about the information we receive. Turn around and go back and get more counseling on these medications.
That is not afforded if these drugs are limited. by the manufacturers. To mail order pharmacies. It just isn't. And the whole purpose of the limited distribution network is to ensure that high cost, high complex specialty meds are handled appropriately, and these often require specialized knowledge and support for patients. There's not a single Letter in that definition that carti doesn't meet that UAMS doesn't meet that Highlands Oncology doesn't meet, that specialty pharmacies across the state do not meet. And
I think it is our purview to put Arkansas care first in the hands of real Arkansas, and that's what we're here to do today. And with that, I welcome any
Chair
Unverified
9:22
questions. Thank you for your testimony. We do have some questions. Representative Allen, you're recognized for
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
9:27
a question. I Thank, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Recently, um, I was put on a specialty drug by my oncologist. At the cancer treatment Centers of America.
And they wanted me to come back to the cancer treatment Center of America to receive the drug. It will say I had it was 6 doses and you have to do it every 6 months and every time you would uh Take the drug. You would have to isolate. For 4 to 5 days. So what that meant for me was that I would have to stay at the cancer treatment centers of
America for 5 days in a hotel that was roughly about $150. A night. And My doctor, uh, was willing to work with me. And we found uh Uh A hospital in Texas. That was uh administered that could administer the drug to me. So he kept looking. And finally we found one in Little Rock, Arkansas. And it was car tire.
Where I was treated. It was, it was uh Approximately 1 mile from my house. So if I wanted to, I could walk the car time. And walk home. So it had it not been for you all. Then I probably would have to end up. Going back to the cancer treatment Centers of America or going to Texas to get the drug. So I can see how um beneficial.
A bill like this can help um a company like Carti and I wanted to say something else too, um. After, uh I decided I was going to go to Carta. Then I was able to meet with the oncologist, and there were some things that they could give me. That counted the side effects of the drug. Um, now, probably we probably could have done it in Texas. We
probably could. I know we could have dined in Atlanta, but this was so convenient for me and and that's one story and the second story is that also a specialty drug. And it was shipped in from out of state. And that was a fun, well, let me back up. They want to ship the drug to me from out of state. So I was able to find a pharmacist again that was about
7 blocks from my house and I was able to go and get the drug from that pharmacist because what they would do, they would ship the drug to your house. And if you're not there to get the drug. thing, you know what happened? Somebody takes the package off the porch. Uh, or you'll have to have somebody there to sign for it, but most of the time when those drugs are shipped to you, there's so you have to act on it right away because they need to refrigerate it and then you
have, if you don't get it, uh, at the proper time, then there's a possibility that potency of the drug. will not, will not be there and so it it it it could possibly dilute the strength of the drug, so I see where you all are going with this, so I appreciate you all bringing it because I I have Benefited from it. I, I appreciate you sharing that, Representative Allen, and that, that
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
13:19
is exactly right. We're not lowering the threshold or the quality of the criteria,
and we're not interrupting the current network that will stay the same. So if there are people who do value the current setup, they'll still be able to choose those. What we're saying is that These equally qualified institutions in the state if they're able to meet those same criteria should have access to these meds because they're the ones writing them, they're the ones monitoring them. They're the ones mitigating the side effects and the ones physically putting eyes on the patient. Um, in my conversations with Pharma, a lot of their concern centers around the timeline implementation I've amended that to include a full compliance by
September 1st of 2026. Uh, the reason for that is that gives us 4 months leading into the next session to review any and all complaints that have come through the state board of pharmacy to see what holes may need to be plugged, but also there is a, uh, there are several exemptions and waivers that current that pharma could currently apply for, um, if there is an evidence-based need for why the restriction exists, so. Arkansas hospital. I mean Arkansas, the hospital association supports this bill. I believe most of you got a letter of support from UAS
today. Kartai is here in support, and again this is not in any willing provider. This is in any qualified provider. With that, we welcome any other questions. Gros of Alan
Speaker 39
14:41
are finished. Just follow up. The drug that I, I was using was shipped from Rome. And I
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
14:47
would have to fly from Little Rock to Atlanta if for some reason, my flight was delayed a couple of days, then the drug that I was on would not
Speaker 39
14:56
be, uh, I would not be able to utilize that drug. Right. And
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
15:02
that limited scope, that, that vulnerability that isolated access and the vulnerability that is in isolation is exactly what we're trying to prevent. These patients should not be contingent on an airplane or a FedEx truck that should be contingent on being able. access places in real time. Thank you Thank you, Representative Dalby, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate what
Chair
Unverified
15:20
you're trying to do. I just need to understand
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
15:27
because this is way out of my wheelhouse to understand what you're doing, so I have several questions just reading the bill that pops up to me, uh, one, we're requiring a wholesale drug permit, how much is distribution permit? How much is that permit currently? I'm not familiar with the cost of that, but
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
15:45
most manufacturers do currently already hold a wholesale permit is with the state board of pharmacy today. OK, that brings me to another
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
15:52
question I got it down right after that and was how many wholesalers are
there in Arkansas who can meet the demand for these types of drugs, or is this or is this bill being written for just one manufacturer? How many do we have? No,
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
16:09
ma'am, so I guess for the number of manufacturers would be however many manufacturers there are, so all of them contract with wholesalers to distribute the medications. This network that we're discussing already currently exists. It's already currently up and running and what we're simply doing is we're Adding to that existing network for in-state providers who meet the same level of qualification
that is already being used for the mail order pharmacies out of state. So could
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
16:33
you explain to me what the structure looks like for Arkansas, so you have an Arkansas drug manufacturers, and you can't, can you name any of those, and then they're going to be manufacturing these drugs in Arkansas, is that what I'm understanding and then distributing both of those points are. Beyond the scope of
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
16:52
this bill, so there are manufacturers such as Pfizer, Taquita, Merck, um, national companies that create or just have act or I guess
develop extremely expensive medications. They then decide what pharmacies
they're going to ship those drugs to. And well and what you're wanting to do is
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
17:11
to take these manufacturers and they can't ship, they, they can instead of shipping to their or whatever to whatever pharmacies that are using this, you're then saying you've got to ship to an Arkansas wholesaler. Is that correct? And then the Arkansas wholesaler is gonna get it out. I mean, it's what it sounds like when I read this bill. I want, I
don't understand the structure you're trying to get at and so I'm curious as to the structure, how it's going to work. Arkansas and how during this time, you know, we, we put this in, how's it gonna disrupt folks who are already on these types of drugs and then if this manufacturer, you know, Not to the wholesaler, then it sounds or it appears, and that's why I'm trying to get to is it appears to me that we're saying, you know, you're gonna have to go through this distribution.
Process And I need to know what does that look like? I can't tell from your from your bill and how it seems to be limiting uh commerce, but if you can explain that to me, I'd appreciate it. So the commerce is implicitly limited in the current model.
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
18:18
Um, and that's what we're trying to solve as we're trying to or expand the limitations that currently exist. So right now when I log on to my wholesalers website and type in Revlimid or one of these drugs, it's not going to pop up as something that I can order.
And so what this would do is someone like Kartai who would have these credentials, would have that restriction lifted from the manufacturer who says yes, if Kartai Pharmacy meets these criteria, they would be able to order this drug just like they already can. So the distribution model currently is operating in the state. This would say that more pharmacies who log on into their wholesaler portal to order drugs would be able to order them as they do all their other medications.
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
19:05
And then can you go back to my
other question is, you know, how is this going to, or is this going to, you know, disrupt a patient's existing plan. I mean, there's still they're still gonna be able to do whatever they want to do if they want to do this one and you're trying to expand it and that is correct. So it seems like there's just a lot in here that That sounds good in theory, but I guess. There's a lot of detail that doesn't seem to be worked out, but.
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
19:36
Yes, and I appreciate the level of detail and scrutiny on this. Again, I would defer that these networks are currently up and running and we're adding to that. So yes, the current model and the current availability as we see fit or as we monitor right now can still operate. It's just saying there would be more physical locations to go receive that product, so we have
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
19:57
Karta. UAMS and who else would this expand to? So for them to have experience
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
20:02
and accreditation, that's going to be on the manufacturer's
individual criteria, so can't give me, can't give
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
20:09
us a number because Highland's oncology would
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
20:12
meet the criteria there in the works of being your Iraq accredited, Stanley's Pharmacy, and Cersei as yourredited, um, All Care Pharmacy in Little Rock is your AC accredited, um, and then it would be also, I'm assumingar UAS, Baptist. Hospitals that have a higher threshold of credentialing to me than I do at a regular retail pharmacy would be able to apply and have that reviewed and see if they meet the criteria, so
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
20:38
mainly in central Arkansas, correct? St. Bernard's,
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
20:46
Jefferson maybe maybe northeast, but I believe I would like to speak to a little bit of their current their current
Adam Head
Unverified
20:53
availability across the state. Yes, ma'am. We have 18 locations around the state. 11 of those are licensed pharmacies, so, uh, now when Representative Acer was speaking of Harlands. They're already in Northwest Arkansas, St. Bernard's that he mentioned is in Northeast. We're in a lot
of these other areas, especially in South Arkansas. We have cancer centers in Conway, Russellville, North Rock, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, and all of those sites are licensed pharmacies in addition to many others. So those sites currently are limited in terms of what We have the ability to offer patients, so this is alleviating that so that we, since we've already gone through the work of creating a licensed pharmacy locations, we can now offer that
to patients who would need those drugs in those locations going back to Representative Allen's example, so that they wouldn't have a need to rely on a FedEx or to go out of state. We've already got the site set up and now they just gain access to that from our standpoint. I
Speaker 29
21:55
don't know if you want to give misty individual drugs that the immediate positive impact.
Speaker 23
22:02
here Yeah, we're currently, we currently have a model set up. So if, um, You know, oncologists prescribes a specialty oral oncolytic, we
get that. the pharmacy, the licensed pharmacy in El Dorado or Tom Bla, any of the locations. can dispense that drug to the patient. So it's truly Meeting the patients where they are to provide the medications that they need. Walgreens also has a specialty pharmacy that has your accredited, and I would argue
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
22:36
that regardless of where they're located, it would be an expansion on what the current
limitation is, so it would be more access than what is currently
Speaker 67
22:50
available. Representative Wooden, you are next. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
22:55
Um, I too have the testimony that Representative Allen has. I've had cancer twice and twice Carti has been successful with a large help in curing me and, uh, But my question is,
So some of the pharmaceutical companies are limiting who gets what drug in order to be able to meet their patient's needs, which directly Impacts The outcome. So Was unfortunate that Katruda and Paset and next day, next day we're not limited or were they limited and you were just successful at acquiring a more.
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
23:44
Yeah, so I, I would say that the limitation, one of the issues is there's no transparency in what dictates what is limited and not. So yes, you are lucky that that my wife also is currently received that same drug regimen yesterday, and the fact that that is not limited. There's no reason or explanation why that one isn't and other ones are, and that's what we're trying to, so it's the limited
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
24:08
aspect of the, of the producer being able to limit who they sell to that
is creating the problem for collar and others that were in UAMS apparently, that we're trying to deal with in this bill. Yes, that is correct. OK. Thank you. Resent of Eve's. We ask for a question. Thank you. It looks like on
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
24:33
page 3, line 32, you. best I can tell you, you took out. EBD I guess. Yes sir, that's correct. And
then on page 4. Uh, lines 32 or I guess 28 to 32, is that right? They're still in it. It Because I don't know that there's any guarantee that the board would grant a waiver for them. It's
Speaker 13
25:04
the intent of completely remove EBD. Uh yes, that is the intent, so.
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
25:23
The page 4 lines 28 to 32. Yes, that is correct. That
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
25:36
that language in my conversation with BLR was to exempt them because of the past. We were past the filing deadline will be exempt from both of those, so. OK So, what you're
Speaker 79
25:46
going to just, if it passes here, you're gonna
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
25:57
take them out on the, I mean it would have to. All right, thank you. Ver war. ask for a question. All right, so I'm I'm trying to get a handle on this. So I'm hearing that Some comments And I don't know if we have a real answer on
this or not. Is there a supply issue. Or is there just an access issue.
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
26:29
On these drugs. These drugs is a very Expansive list, right? It's going to depend on the manufacturer, um, so the access issue is the primary issue as far as The availability as far as a shortage, um, that would exist regardless of how many places could actually order it. So those are two separate. Concerns. So I'm, I'm not aware
of shortage issues. The FDA updates those on a regular basis. This is about providing access for the same prescription to be filled. On site at Cartai or UMS. Rather than waiting for it to be delivered. OK, OK. Is that helpful? I'm, I'm sorry. I guess I'm trying to understand the, the, the, the The core concern of your question is that As I'm understanding it though,
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
27:30
You've been having difficulty getting some drugs, correct? We are, we
Speaker 23
27:39
are not having difficulty getting the drugs for the patient. We are just having to send the prescription outside of Carta to be filled. And dispensed. So the patients are getting the medication, it's just that we're having to send to someone to another pharmacy because we're excluded from the ability to dispense the meds to our patients. OK, that makes sense.
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
28:01
OK, thank you. I represent Monstrom, recognized. Thank you. So I get the
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
28:06
patient access part if you're being treated for cancer, you're tired and you wanna go home. Um, But there's a lot of other drugs that also go with the cancer drugs for nausea and for all the side symptoms of those drugs. So are y'all basically opening up a pharmacy or what's how is this gonna compete with my local pharmacist who's been taking care of that patient for a long time. Sure. We are only um
Speaker 23
28:32
dispensing specialty medications. So those are the high cost medications that the pharmacy across the street does not have. We're not competing with them when it comes to The antiemetics or um the steroids, like we, we're not dispensing those. Anything that you can go to a local pharmacy and, and get We do not carry, so this is not gonna be competing directly
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
28:55
with the local pharmacy. There's still gonna be this local pharmacy can't provide those drugs, correct? OK, all right, thank you.
If they wanted to provide those drugs, could they make application and do that?
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
29:10
They're welcome to apply again, the threshold for what the credentialing and requirements are often way too burdensome based on these drugs for those mom and pop stores to meet, um, and so they're welcome to apply, um, and if they meet the same qualifications that are currently available to these mail order ones, then yes, they, they could be considered for it. OK, all right, thank you. in my group, you're recognized.
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
29:35
Thank you, Chairman. I absolutely don't understand the pharmaceutical world, but in the business world, so I understand that these drugs are being limited to who they're, who can provide them now, so I would assume that. Whatever his organization is controlling that is also controlling the price, and now they're going to be required to dispatch these to other pharmacies, are they going to be dispatching them at a higher rate of money to the other ones or how we controlling the cost? Is it, how it's gonna affect the
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
30:06
cost of the pricing is normally negotiated by the, I guess, their contracts individually, but the pricing wouldn't, I guess, be an issue. They're, they're happy to sell their drugs at the prices that They see fit and if they're able to purchase them. Then they'll be able to provide them. If they can't purchase them or it's not financially viable for them to, then they'll, then the current, the current mechanism will just continue forward, so it's not necessarily. The manufacturer Hoover was controlling this
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
30:32
to make more money doing this way. It's just
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
30:36
the law that prevent this same drug is being dispensed to the patient.
We're trying to find the most Freeway and highly qualified, equally qualified way for
Chair
Unverified
30:50
them to get it. Thank you. Representative Tosh, you're recognized for a question.
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
30:56
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative I direct your attention, I think we've discussed this year to page 4. Line 28.
Through line 32 and it says a state government and public plan sponsor for a health benefit plan shall not pay for prescription drugs from a pharmaceutical manufacturer. Or a pharmaceutical manufacturer for Medicaid. That concerns me a little bit is, is that going to potentially threaten patients access to medicines, especially those on Medicaid? Um, no, sir. So that,
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
31:37
Requirement there is a common, I guess, term of art and arrangement. So currently for manufacturers to participate to even have their medications covered on the Medicaid formulary. There's other contingencies such as they have to offer them to be part of the federally subsidized 340B program. And so what this does is this basically holds the manufacturers liable to participate beyond because they're currently not voluntarily participating in this. OK, and I'm like other members of several other members of
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
32:03
this committee. This is not my wheelhouse either, and I'm just
trying to understand it, but when I see the word Medicaid, and you know it wouldn't be part of a plan that concerns me a little bit and, and of course the last thing we want is, you know, those bus that's on Medicaid to be able to be denied, you know, access to those medicines or anyone as far as that goes, so I'm just making sure we're not creating a disruption to those patients and especially those that would be in need of it. Follow-up question, Mr. Chair, while I've got to my
If, if I went to the doctor now and they prescribed one of these specialized medicines for me. And I went to my local pharmacy. Are you saying that that local pharmacy would not be able to fill that prescription, uh, today. Is that
Speaker 13
32:58
that is the current situation because the manufacturers have set an arbitrary
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
33:02
quality and metric that those pharmacies would have to meet that the local pharmacies don't have the resources or basically the
capacity to do. So yes, I regularly receive prescriptions that
I have to refer out to specialty pharmacies. OK, well, I've never encountered. debt,
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
33:17
so that's why I was asking. I kind of caught me off guard when I was reading the language in the bill, so, uh, I wasn't aware of that. So what would be my options then? Well, you would,
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
33:30
I guess have to coordinate with the prescriber to find out what pharmacy happens to be in the network for that specific drug and then contact them oftentimes a mail
order set up an account, have them ship it to you, um, hope that it gets there on time to the right address and that it's Not, you know, overheated and that you're able to actually, I guess, receive it. OK, thanks. OK. Any
Speaker 100
33:57
other questions from the version of Day? Not really a
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
34:01
question, but going back to representative Eads pointing out the discrepancy between the EBD and then then the other language, it just seems like to me in this late in the session, it might be best to pull the bill down, get it amended so
that language isn't in conflict because if you run this bill through and then go down to the Senate and take it out and then get it back up to the house, you may very well run out of time on this bill, unless that's your intention is to run out of time, but it's just to thought, it sounds like it's in conflict and we don't want, you wouldn't want it to be in conflict and I understand and I'm on the desk. I'm open to all options if that was to do
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
34:36
in a member's own amendment here right now if that's to have that fixed on the Senate end and then just simply concur it on our end. It is clearly my intent through my most recent amendment to exempt
DBD if that was missed through BLR, then I have to fix that. I mean. But Correct. That's why
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
34:58
I was suggesting maybe you might want to pull it down, fix it on our end so it can get down there and get down there because. By the time it gets down to the Senate and let's say, In case there's any senators watching, I'm not disparaging the Senate, but it They're, yeah, they're not
watching, but, but the thing is, is we all know we can get down there and we try to amend it down on the Senate side and it gets hung up down there and they wait till the, you know, the last minute or the last day to pass it out, it's gonna die and not get back to us. It's just a thought, it's your bill, do whatever you want to do. Yes, ma'am. I appreciate that and I'd like to move
Speaker 94
35:37
forward. Seeing no other questions, any other questions, members? OK. Seeing no other questions.
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
35:49
We do have someone signed up to speak against the bill. I believe it's Sharon Lamb. Lambert, um, If you would just go ahead and introduce yourself, who you are with, and you can proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Chairman. Chairman Maddox
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
36:09
and members of the House. Insurance and a commerce Committee. My name is Sharon Lamberton. I am a nurse by training and I work at Pharma pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of America that
represent 30 drug companies that make innovative brand new medicines that treat and cure patients. I appreciate the time to be here today. It's also great to be back in Arkansas. My parents live in Hot Springs Village, and, um, they've been there for about 30 years and had wonderful care that they've received here. And as a nurse and somebody that's worked at National Cancer Institute, um, I can't tell you how important that has been for my family and the institutions here are fine.
I want to thank you all for being leaders on PBM reform in this state, you all are known in Arkansas to be one of the 4 leaning foremost, um, leaning forward leaning uh states in legislation starting back in 2015 and of course Representative Aker, thank you for being a champion for patients and you all passed the 2nd in the country, savings legislation that would give patient savings at the pharmacy counter. So congratulations because it's working and implemented, and I thank you for your.
We've had a lot of good conversations as pharma. that represents our 30 different drug companies with Representative Acre, and we're encouraged by it, and we want to continue working with you and working with him and um working on this concept, but I have to be very candid. This is brand new concepts for us. It's a brand new legislation for our industry and our companies, and it takes a lot of time for companies to talk internally and
think about how we can work with a model like this. So that we don't interrupt patient safety and patient access. We've heard some incredible things about oncology products here and absolutely that oncology products are, are very important to have, um, and have good navigation and patient education, which many of these LDNs are doing. I haven't heard of access issues, but that's another point to where we need to continue our conversations because it's a lot, it's too much too fast, is
the feedback that I'm getting from our companies. But for those reasons, so we can ensure that patient access is not impaired, that there's not safety issues, we would ask for more time to have discussions. I think we need more thoughtful stakeholders, um, to be able to talk about this concept because we really want to and Representative Acres words, we want to get it right. And we have enjoyed our conversations. I think this is just the beginning, but we, you know, these specialty drugs are more than just cancer that we've
heard of today, and I know, um, the representative raised that. We have respiratory drugs. We have immunology drugs. We have drugs that must be delivered. In very time sensitive manner with monitoring patient navigation that's offered by these LDNs and You know, I just want to make sure that we've had that time to talk and our companies have had time to talk because we've just been working with this for the past 3 or so weeks, and it's a new brand new in the country
concept. So we look forward to continuing our work, um, we just, at this time, respectfully oppose. Thank you for your
Chair
Unverified
39:41
testimony. Uh, would you be willing to take questions? Yes sir
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
39:45
looks like we have a couple you are recognized for a question.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
39:50
Do your company that you represent. Limit who they sell to. Toromatics, representative, I do
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
40:02
not have that answer to what each company does with their LDNs. I don't know if they limit that, but we can take that back and talk internally. I just do not have that information as the trade association. I don't have those business practices that I would even be able to talk about probably. Legally, well, in
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
40:22
all fairness. Yes. I worked for a large company at one
time was affiliated as a distributor and the quickest way to get uh
The comment was to submit a suggestion. And are you responding, this is a question. Are you responding that my suggestion has merit, but not at this time. Mhm Chairman Maddox, representative, I honestly do not know the answer
Speaker 109
40:50
to that. I can, and they answer a lot of
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
40:53
other questions, but the question on whether a company restricts the medications or not. I do not have knowledge of that, not even anecdotally, but I haven't heard
of Access restrictions for patients yet. And, and please, um, understand that our companies are very interested in continuing conversations. This is an interesting concept. Again, it's the first in the country, but we just need time to have these questions like yours and the thoughtful discussion with people from expertise that represent stakeholders from pharmacy, clinicians, the facilities that would be dispensing these things because the medicines are often
needing to be received in timely manners, stored in certain ways, etc. So we just want more time to be able to understand that and see the data so that patients can continue getting seamless access to their medicines, and that it's, if anything, improved. Follow up
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
41:51
if I may. So are you saying that you're willing, your companies are willing to do away with the limitations if they have them because you can't answer the question, but if they have
limitations, or you telling this committee that they're willing to do away with that, Chairman Representative, I don't have
Speaker 109
42:10
that knowledge on whether they're willing to do away
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
42:12
with it, where the trade association representing the 30, we just started having these conversations with the sponsor, Rott Baker, just 3 weeks ago. Where we're hearing more and more details. There's a lot of things that need to be worked out in the bill. So that would be, that would be a great question, one that we need to, to uh have, he needs to hear from our all of our members. We
need to have some discussions, so I I can't answer that at the time. Thank you, ma'am.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
42:41
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative. We have a
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
42:46
few um members in the queue or some lady and I think you were first or you're next. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
42:52
think you might be able to answer this question. I So when I was taking cancer treatment there at NEA Baptist in Jonesboro, and I was taking two types of specialty drugs, and it was infusion, so it, it
was 4 hours, might be 8 hours, and my doctor would say, well, I'm gonna make sure I got the drug here and he might call me and say, well, I can't do it today because it'll have to be tomorrow, then you might call me tomorrow and say, well, it might be the next day because the drug's not here. So would this bill help that kind of situation? To have it
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
43:27
more accessible. Chairman, Representative, I don't have that detail on how we're just learning and figuring this out, this is the bill, what you see is about the detail we
have and we have, we have to go back as a trade association and deliberate and get more information, but that is an important thing is what we need to know our patients able to get access, that's it, you raise in very important question that we also have, would, how would access change? Are the, are there a sufficient number of facilities here or dispensaries. to handle this. We've heard about oncology examples, but what about the plethora of other, um, disease conditions and specialty meds that exist
Speaker 126
44:06
that have specific needs and certifications like our REMs, drugs, etc. OK, well, I know I'm not giving you
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
44:13
the name of the drugs, but the, I mean, the nurses and the folks there were were able to handle that and handle it, you know. They, they did a good job, so yeah, thank you. Thank you. Represent Tosh, you organized for a question. Thank
Chair
Unverified
44:27
you, Mr. Chair. And I'll ask the same question to the sponsor of the bill,
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
44:34
but I'd like for you to also answer it.
The people that I represent in my district, if we pass this bill, with the cost of those specialized drugs for them, would it go up? Or would it
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
44:52
go down? Chairman, representative, About cost of specific medications and how it would change or be the same. I don't have that information right now what we've been able to focus on as an industry in our companies is what will happen to access
and to safety of these medications because if there's a disruption in therapy or if you don't get certain medications within a certain time frame, um, you can have hospitalization for all kinds of problems and even death. So we've got to make sure access and safety is Assured and certainly we would look at that. You, you all are raising great questions. And we want to get to them and we just haven't had time to deliberate on it with the sponsor. And internally
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
45:40
Representative Rochester, you're recognized. Thank you. um. The bill was filed February 19th. Today is March 19th. It's been 4 weeks. Do you
need 4 more weeks? You need 1 more day. You've
Speaker 134
45:57
had 4 weeks. German representative for weeks with um, a brand new novel delivery
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
46:02
system. It is not enough for, I would argue any company, it's that we want to be able to answer some of these questions, but you have
to, we were working with business side with legal with the patient access side and then we, we just have a lot of um different departments that have to meet just internally within a company to understand how business practices would essentially have a radical sea change. Um, you're in the business of selling drugs, right? I'm
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
46:32
in the business of advocating for
Speaker 127
46:35
access. Well, access is about selling drugs, right?
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
46:38
I mean, the, the, the whole idea
was about access. So how is it possible that when we increase access to drugs where somehow it's a problem. We're increasing competition, we're increasing access to drugs. I find it hard to understand why that's a problem. If you're selling drugs, this gives you more outlets to sell drugs. What am I missing on that? That's just basic capitalism. Chair Representative, you're not missing anything and
Speaker 109
47:05
that is one of the questions. How would access change, hopefully it would be improved with this
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
47:14
delivery system, but we don't have the information right now. LDNs that our companies are using are performing coordinated specialty functions that perhaps these entities that the sponsors identified could also perform, but we don't have that information and we haven't seen the data on what will happen to safety and. So you
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
47:37
of these hospitals that have been handling these drugs can handle the drugs. Chairman Representative, I'm
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
47:45
absolutely not saying that. I have personally seen these facilities with my own family and I have the greatest respect for UAMS and the cancer and cardiac care that they delivered to my dad, um, I am not. Liberty or I don't even have the knowledge of, of what these access, um, of what the dispensaries could do for, for all of these medicines, but we need to deliberate. It's just too, my message is essentially that we have to be opposed to
this bill at this time, but we are open to learning more. We just think it's too much too soon, and we need to have more
Speaker 108
48:24
of a thoughtful discussion with other stakeholders to see To answer these very same questions you all are raising. I'll get out of the queue,
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
48:32
but I'm, I'm a little bit confused why people that are already prescribing a drug can't prescribe a drug in-house. Hm that I guess that logic is lost on me why that would not be. What Something that helps the
patient, so I'll get out of the queue and
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
48:55
wait. You can. Yes, representative, I don't think this bill, the, the way we interpret this is not about limiting at all and prescribing. It's limiting our company's ability and how and who they work with to get their product to the patients and the providers, and that is totally new. We absolutely do not have a say on who can prescribe. That's within a prescribers scope of
practice, but it's the way the delivery system in which in the country attracting that the business side of our companies do, we need to work and hear how would this be implemented? How would it be operationalized? So we respectfully appreciate the amendment that extends the time, but there is so much to work out in the details. We have been vigorously meeting with the representative and we we appreciate his intent. We
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
49:49
isn't disrupted. All right, I'll get out of the
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
49:55
queue for now. Thank you. Representative Johnson, you are next in
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
49:59
the queue. Yeah, I guess I hate to ask the same question, but I am following up along the same line of questions, you know, we're about to leave for spring break. We're going to be out for 10 days. There'll be more time before it runs through the Senate. We've got at least another 2 or 3 weeks of session after spring break. How much time do you think you need to adequately review because again you've had 4 weeks we've got the
whole session itself is only 3 3.5 months, and so we also are on a limited time frame to pass. Bill. So how much more time do you think you need
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
50:33
to figure out more things and answer more questions, Chairman, Representative, I don't have the answer on how much time, but the the time that's needed is so essential. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and do something harmful. For patients Or providers. We don't have that information on or data on how
this would be implemented. So that's maybe to the point of maybe we, we roll this back and
Speaker 115
50:57
understand this through more methodical discussions and that would be, you know, there are definitely some people that feel like this would
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
51:04
be a benefit, and we only have legislative sessions once every 2 years and so we have a limited time frame ourselves to make constructive changes in the law, so again, I appreciate the fact you're under. time constraints, but it does seem to me like for a reasonably sized company to have an extra 2 weeks from this point to
continue to work with the sponsor on amendment. It seems like a reasonable time frame. That's my last question. Thank
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
51:30
you. Chairman, representative, I'm absolutely taking this information back, um, with our companies, we're gonna get information, we're already working, we've been doing this quite feverishly to to help and see and understand this because we are, we are very certain that Representative Acres and intent is nothing but good. We know that. We, we've heard from the incredible people that are care
coordinators here, but we do have our stories of how our manufacturers are working seamlessly with some of these. So you can imagine when our companies in the midst of all that we're doing, you know, and, and trying to bring new drugs to market. We're trying to get things approved. This is put in front of us. I mean this does halt a lot of our things that we need to get done, but we want to do this carefully. We do not want to get ahead of ourselves though. Certainly looking forward to working with the representative, our, um, sponsor.
Chair
Unverified
52:28
Representative Richardson, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
52:32
So, um, You know, comment that was made or from, I think Representativeuner you were, you were discussing it. I, I don't know, and
again, I'm coming from a very basic understanding, but it seems to me if currently a car tie. Has to request meds from another specialty pharmacy. It seems like it would be rather easy for you just for them to be
approved and then carry the meds so they don't have to go in extra step for, for a consumer. So that doesn't seem Crazy to me, that makes a whole lot of sense and and I guess Why is that, why is that such an issue from the people that you represent. Chairman, Representative, it's,
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
53:19
again, the way, the way you frame it, I wish it was as simple as that, but when you get and you into these discussions and you start talking about all
the different steps that have to be, you know, each product is not one size fits all. Each specialty medicine for different conditions require many different things, and it may be that I can get
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
53:40
that one of them requires something different, but let's pick hypothetically, let's talk about one man that. Specialty pharmacy has the ability to do, and now UAMS are cartti now has the ability to do that. If it's the same requirements, why would it be different for the manufacturer
or the people that you represent, just to send it to Carti. Just thinking about one and from that one instance, would it be difficult to do that? Chairman Representative, I have, I, I have
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
54:10
limited knowledge on contracting procedures or even the steps. I can tell you how you bring a drug to market and how all the clinical trial aspects of it, but let me just ask you this, and I'll be I will find out those type of things, but those are, that's one of the reasons why we need, we need to deliberate on this, that we need to understand, um, yeah.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
54:32
If we pass this bill, what do you
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
54:36
guys do then? Well, just as I came here today respectfully, I'm opposing our pharma pharma and bio, which is another trade association we have, um, letters from them that are, that's also in opposition for the very same reasons, safety and access. So we want to continue, we would oppose right now we, we respectfully oppose with the amendment, but
Speaker 109
54:53
we want to continue discussions. But what I'm saying is if the bill passes of both. Chambers, what do you guys do?
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
55:04
You adapt, I would assume to meet the needs of the law that is now that
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
55:10
that is now law. Our company absolutely would need to have internal discussions and how we can continue functioning and operating and giving access to patients with the new law. OK, that's with all wives, yes. Represent Boyton, you're recognized. Thank
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
55:26
you, Mr. Chairman. I had a call from a constituent about a year ago and he was faced with the problem of
scarity of money. He was being charged $35,000 for a drug for his wife who was in And the institution in a hospital at that time, $35,000. Do you agree that the quickest way to drive up prices is to limit access to a drug. Do you agree with that, Chairman
Speaker 109
56:01
Representative, I believe the quickest way to access a
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
56:05
medicine is hopefully to have the, um, assistances or the appropriate access through insurance or through programs, and we absolutely want patients to have access to our medicines. That's why we give $23 billion a year for patient assistance
Speaker 109
56:20
to get access to our medicines because as as many medicines as we make and has amazing treatments if patients can't take them or afford them, it does them no good. So we absolutely want patients to have access.
And if this is a new vehicle to do that,
Speaker 120
56:40
we're open, but we just need more time to delivery answer my question.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
56:45
My question was, isn't the quickest way to raise prices is to limit access to a particular product or drug. Chairman Representative, I Do not believe
Speaker 109
56:54
that any of our companies are in the business
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
56:58
of wanting to restrict access and pricing is individual for all of the companies and how they come up with the price based on a
number of factors that I don't even know or are aware of as a trade association, can I speak about? But I do know access is paramount for
Speaker 109
57:18
every single one of our patients, our, our pharma companies that
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
57:22
give patients access. Why would they limit access and if they're worried about the care of the Of the patient Chairman, Representative would limit access to certain hospitals or certain pharmacies when how many
PBMs do, do your company's own? Well, that's
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
57:42
a great chairman representative, that's a great question. Our companies do not own pharmacy benefit managers. They're metal men that
Speaker 109
57:50
control 80% of um Americans, 220 million Americans on, on what, what's covered on a formulary. We actually bring the innovative drugs to market. And then the PBMs or the metal men that decide how much that drug should cost and
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
58:04
what patients should have access to.
So I am very proud to say we do not own PBMs or pharma companies do not, but um we certainly want to make sure that access is an access and affordability is paramount for patients and if this new vehicle that Raaker has developed would improve. access and improve safety, our companies are very interested in working, but right now to ask them to halt business or to
think about doing a complete sea change, we, you can imagine as a businessman or, or understanding these factors that we need time to make sure that the patients continue getting those medicines that LDNs are delivering right now. And we want to make sure nothing, there's no harm with this new delivery system. I hate to cut you off.
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
59:03
OK, well, I think I, I believe we kind of
Now where this witness stands with their testimony and the position that she's in right now, which is, um, they want more time, but anyway, I don't want to try to summarize your testimony. We have to move this along because there's going to be an amendment to the bill, and then we're going to run the bill again if the amendment is adopted. So I'd like to move this along if we could. Are there more questions for this witness. OK. Thank you, Chairman, I
Speaker 109
59:33
just conclude with thank you guys for your time. I have to just end
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
59:36
with what we, what this time that we have now, even though
you all are on spring break, we're going to use every, every bit of this time to work with the representative and figure out some of these questions we are interested in helping him and helping patients, but we just need to make sure that we work out all the details. Thank you guys. Thank you for your testimony. Maker,
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
59:57
you are recognized. It's my understanding that you are going to run an amendment. Yes, that's correct, Mr. Chair and committee. I'd like to
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:00:11
present an amendment to House Bill 1531. You got whatever the most proper appropriate way to do that
Speaker 28
1:00:29
is. I now. You can describe it. OK. Uh, the amendment
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:00:33
before you today, um, again, thank you to the eyes of Representative Eaves, Representative Dalby is to meet the requirement to remove to exempt the employee benefits division from the
entirety of the restrictions in the Representative Aker, I'm sorry, um, we're getting some conflicting information. I'm going
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:00:47
to ask you to pull the bill down. OK. pulled in, run your motion, um, to adopt the amendment. And then we'll proceed in that fashion. OK. Do I need to explain the amendment before I make a motion
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:01:03
to adopt it? No, I would like to pull the bill. OK. On Mississippi, Mississippi 3 Mississippi. Without objection,
Speaker 44
1:01:13
Representative Acer has pulled the bill and it's my understanding that you have an amendment that you want to run. Yes, that's
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:01:21
correct, Chairman, committee. I would like to run an amendment to House Bill 1531. I make a motion to adopt. OK OK.
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:01:30
We have a motion to adopt the amendment that is being circulated now, um, but any questions on that motion? OK, all in favor of the motion to adopt. Say aye. The motion is adopted Maker, you
are, um, recognized to run your bill as amended. Thank you, Chairman.
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:01:50
I'm here to run House Bill 1531 as amended. I know that we've heard a lot of testimony here. I do think it's interesting. There does seem to be some conflicting concern around wanting to limit access, not limit access. What is access, um, there is nothing in this bill that creates a new pipeline. What it simply says is that if there are qualified, equally qualified providers in
the state that meet the same threshold for those pharmacies that are in the network for these highly specialized. Drugs that their applications will be taken consider will be taken seriously and reviewed, and if they meet their criteria, they will be accepted. Um, I do think We need some broad scope into how Limited these networks actually are. I would like to point your attention to the letter that we was submitted to you all today from UAMS on page 2. I'm going to read directly from it, and I
think this speaks a little bit to uh really the core concern we have here. So UMS as you all know, is a nationally recognized institution, specifically in multiple myeloma, and they do not have access in-house to two drugs that they use repeatedly to help treat those patients. On page 2 in the middle of top paragraph. From UAS. It says, in addition, the pharmaceutical manufacturers will engage UAMS to participate in the research and clinical
trials needed to gain FDA approval of the drug. But then the same manufacturer will not allow UMS to dispense these exact same drugs once they are FDA approved and available on the market. The manufacturers trust the quality and integrity and data collection of UAMS to get their drug approved and then immediately remove their ability to dispense it after it's been approved. With that, I'll take questions. Thank you, Ursula Baker. Any questions from the committee?
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:03:53
Seeing no questions. Is there anyone who would like to speak against the bill as amended. OK. Seeing no one, is there anyone else who'd like to speak for the bill as amended. Seeing no
Speaker 44
1:04:07
one rips to you, you're recognized to close. I'm closed for my bill and I'm making a motion to pass. We have a motion
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:04:13
to pass as amended by Representative Aker, as amended. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none all in favor say aye. Any of both say no.
Congratulations to you passed your bill as amended. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. Committee, thank you for your patience. We are going to run one more bill, um. Please patience, no I mean I got to get this out before spring break Represents all, you're recognized.
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:04:50
OK This is an easy one. This is a go ahead, yeah. Trace I, state representative,
District 2. This is House Bill 1811 and uh what this bill will do, this bill makes it clear that an insured is required to follow the contractual requirements agreed to in their property insurance policy. It also makes it clear that it is a fraudulent insurance act to waive a deductible. Or rebate deductible. Bill provides clear lines for current gray area in the property claims settlement in the insurance companies. With that, I'll take any questions.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
1:05:26
Representative Richardson right now for a question. So you're, it's illegal to to Not charge a deductible. Is what your bill is doing? No,
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:05:38
no, it's making it. Ask the question again. It would the way I
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
1:05:43
just heard you say that they couldn't not charge a deductible. Yes, this will clear
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:05:47
it up. I mean, you already are supposed to charge your deductible. I can go through a couple of scenarios for you on that. So on a recoverable depreciation loss,
what happens is you have a deductible, you're supposed to contractually Um, you know, pay in order to receive recoverable depreciation on a on a replacement cost policy. So what this does is it just requires you to show that proof of payment that you've paid this uh this deductible. OK. OK. Thank you, Representative
Speaker 100
1:06:28
Richardson, Representative Dalby, you have a question? As I
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
1:06:31
understand what this is doing, and correct me if I'm wrong, but what this is
doing is. Making it where. Um, I don't want to use, I'm trying to think. I get my house gets flooded. And they're, they got to replace the carpet they gotta fix the drywall, all of that kind of stuff and the contractor or whoever it's gonna come do the white side, hey.
I'll just start, maybe not tell me, but they'll inflate the cost of what it's going to do so that you recover more money and you're really not out
your deductible, and that's kind of the basic, if I understood that correctly? Yes, great question. And you
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:07:11
are correct that very well said. It's gonna be you. Guilty Representative Tosh, you are recognized for a question. Thank
Chair
Unverified
1:07:22
you, Mr. Chair. So make sure I understand Representative Daby touched on
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
1:07:29
it. If I'm doing business somewhere and they
want to waive the deductible. They can't do that. No, they are already
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:07:36
not allowed to do so. Mm I mean, that's That's insurance
law 101. Well, I'm not familiar with the insurance
Speaker 98
1:07:47
law, but with a lot of laws but not insurance law. So they can't sell it to be cheaper. Representative Lustrom, you are next in the queue.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
1:08:01
I just had a bunch of roofs replaced when a storm came through. Every single bill that I submitted to my insurance company, they submitted back minus deductible, minus deductible. So I, I, I
don't understand why, why this helped me understand why this is needed. Because this is going to
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:08:20
require that you're, that you actually paid your deductible and uh and fulfilled your requirement on your insurance contract that shows you paid your deductible and it wasn't waived or it wasn't rebate any form or
fashion. And, and I'll give you something what you see from time to time and what you know insurance agents will see is they will have a roof replaced. They will, they recoverable depreciation is about $3000 4000 dollars more. Well, what they will do is that company will say, hey, here's an invoice, turn it in because their initial contact with the person's like, hey, you won't be anying out any pocket expense, we can do it for this, this price, they do it for that price and they hand that person an invoice, that homeowner an
invoice, and they say, hey, this is recovered appreciation. You can go turn it in. Well, they are committing insurance fraud if they come in and present that invoice to an insurance agent without paying that deductible. And these people sometimes are inadvertently committing insurance fraud and they don't know it. This is what this bill is going to correct is allow them to create some true black and white and uh some clear lines to this process. I, I guess I'm.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
1:09:34
Still a little bit confused, so I'm going to
Speaker 35
1:09:40
listen to more of the testimony. Representative Allen, to bring this.
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:09:45
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh. I'm a contractor. And we replaced roofs sometimes And we replaced roofs sometime, and when the homeowner, uh, when the insurance company submit. The check to the homeowner, it says less you're the doctor. The doctor's $1000. They backed that out.
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:10:05
Am I right? And they, well, hey, we'll have to show proof that they paid that deductible that's an actual cash value policy that you're probably talking about, not a not a replacement cost policy,
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:10:18
OK, but I, I used to pay an insurance agent too. OK, so. When, when they submit. The, uh, well, let me back up. When they, when they submit
the payment to the homeowner. If the if my cost is. $22,000.
And if they have a $2000 deductible, they
take that $2000 deductible right off the top. That's what the insurance companies do, and they turn around and say, well, Fred, uh, it's your job to get the $2000 from The homeowner. So, the, the insurance company has satisfied their
part once they pay the claim unless there's some hidden cost, additional costs, the homeowner is I mean, the insurance company
is out of the picture. Now if the homeowner decides that he or she is not gonna pay my $2000. That's for me. In, in the,
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:11:18
in the instance you just gave there, that is, that is an actual cash value policy. We're talking about a replacement cost policy that is different in that nature, that has a recoverable depreciation clause to it. So we're talking about apples and so we're talking about, so in, in your instance there, let's say there's another $4000 on top of
that that you can collect after the job has been finished for extra expenses. All we're asking is that you have to prove that you paid that deductible to collect the recoverable side of that. But the recovery depreciation don't go to me.
Speaker 174
1:11:51
It goes to the homeowner. No, actually it goes, it's supposed to go to the uh contractor. Well, In, in
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:12:00
most cases when I, when I do work and as a recovery depreciation, once I quote my price. I'm done. And so the additional money
coming goes to the homeowner, not me. Now, if there's a deductible for the uh $1000 deductible, shame on me if I don't get it from the homeowner because if I, if I go out there and fix the roof in the home room pay me, then I only thing I can do is go file a lien on, on the house. And I've had
situations like that to happen. So, but I'm I'm trying to explain like,
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:12:35
you know, and I know you knew what the recoverable depreciation is, and
all I'm asking for is that there is, shows a proof that they paid that recoverable or that that deductible in order to receive that accountable depreciation on that policy. That's, that's all I'm asking for. And I mean, to me it's, I mean, it's already illegal to waive a deductible as it is. stuff like that. Uh, this just, I mean to me this protects people from inadvertently, uh, committing insurance fraud. Because they're handed an invoice to turn in for a
Speaker 174
1:13:11
coverable depreciation. Well, it's, it's, it's wouldn't you agree that uh once I finished the house, And
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
1:13:17
get the money from the insurance company,
the insurance company is off the hook for $1000. The insurance company is off the hook for the recovery, uh, depreciation, because on my claims on when I'm a contractor, when I go out there and do it. I don't ask for the recovery depreciation and let it go to the home because they they were the ones paying the insurance premium, not me.
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
1:13:43
Right, but there again, I think we're talking about two different kinds of kinds of claims here and, you know, if there is some confusion in the committee, you know, I don't care to pull this down and have those discussions on the side. I was thinking to me this was a noncontroversial bill because it's already, it's already in, in statute that you can't waive a deductible and that all we're asking for is, is to show proof. So, you know, there again, uh, it has been a long day to me. I didn't see any, any issues with. this, but uh
If you know, if we're having heartburn, you know, I'd be happy to pull it down.
Speaker 163
1:14:22
You're tough, Fred. Thank you. I will uh pull this bill down at the moment. Thank you Representative Stein has
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:14:32
pulled his bill. That is the last bill we're going to hear. A couple of housekeeping things, um. It's only 5 o'clock, so. Yes. we are talking about
Members, um, we are going to meet Monday after we return from spring break, we're going to be Monday after session. We're going to hear HB 1443, and then any other bills that we can get to, but we're definitely going to hear that one. Wednesday, um, we had scheduled to hear HB 1150, um, that is represented Mooreville, and so if that's available, um, we are going to hear that and then any others that we can. I'm just want to let y'all know, I know. Some information about those, but
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
1:15:21
reps of Lindstrom. Yes, I wanted to follow up. I understand we're still waiting on, on a financial impact from a bill that was filed in late in January, um, House Bill 1454. I know that there's probably the folks that can do this are probably listening, but We need to get that. That's been out there a good month and a half, 2 months, so I'm. representative,
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
1:15:47
to make I have made contact with BLR asking for
an explanation on why this is just sitting here at this late date. So I will try to get you an answer on that. Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you. Committee, thank you for your patience, and we are adjourned.
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1055 J. Mayberry TO ESTABLISH COVERAGE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT TO SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR OTHER DEMENTIA-RELATED DISEASE UNDER THE STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.
HB1295 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE HEALTHCARE COST-SHARING COLLECTIONS ACT.
SB237 J. Boyd TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS.
HB1443 Pilkington TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PAYMENT NETWORKS FROM USING CERTAIN DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS.
HB1297 L. Johnson CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ALGORITHMS, AND OTHER AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGIES; AND TO REGULATE CERTAIN PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE INSURERS.
HB1735 Eaves TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE PREVENTION ACT; AND TO REVISE MEMBERSHIP IN THE ONE CALL CENTER UNDER THE ARKANSAS UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE PREVENTION ACT.
HB1308 Steimel CONCERNING UNFAIR PRACTICES RELATED TO RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPAIR CONTRACTS; AND TO REGULATE SOLICITING RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS AND TREE CONTRACTORS.
HB1771 Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURES TO POLICYHOLDERS; AND TO REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTING BY INSURERS.
SB323 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE HORIZONTAL PROPERTY ACT.
SB366 J. Boyd TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES ACT; AND TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN ARKANSAS HOMES PROGRAM FUND.
HB1531 Achor TO PROHIBIT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS FROM RESTRICTING OR LIMITING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO A LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF OUT-OF-STATE PHARMACIES.
HB1811 Steimel TO AMEND PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LAW; AND TO REQUIRE REASONABLE PROOF OF PAYMENT OF A DEDUCTIBLE TO RECOUP RECOVERABLE DEPRECIATION UNDER PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LAW.
HB1813 Gramlich TO ADOPT THE FAIR AND EFFICIENT TRANSMISSION COMPACT.
SB104 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; TO PROTECT PATIENTS' RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB405 J. Dismang TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM ACT.
HB1150 J. Moore TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS.
HB1426 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE HEALTHCARE CONTRACTING SIMPLIFICATION ACT.
HB1625 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE, Mar 19, 2025 | Agenda | 2 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
Representative Mark Perry
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
Adam Head
Unverified
Speaker 23
Speaker 2
Speaker 29
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Speaker 39
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
Speaker 67
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
Speaker 13
Speaker 79
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
Speaker 100
Speaker 94
Sharon Lamberton
Unverified
Speaker 109
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
Speaker 126
Speaker 134
Speaker 127
Speaker 108
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 115
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
Speaker 120
Speaker 28
Speaker 44
Representative Trey Steimel
Unverified
Speaker 98
Speaker 35
Speaker 174
Speaker 163
Speaker 24