Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
A bipartisan group of senators is introducing a second bill aimed at PBMs' business practices.
Why it matters: The draft, shared first with Axios, adds to the calls to again put the drug supply intermediaries under the microscope, after PBM provisions were dropped from a year-end deal.
What's inside: The Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act would ban the practice of spread pricing in Medicaid — an idea that's gained favor on both sides of the Capitol.
- It was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee last session, and language was incorporated in early versions of December's CR.
- The legislation would block the practice of reducing or clawing back drug reimbursements to pharmacies and require that Medicaid payments to PBMs be passed directly to pharmacies and exclude administrative fees.
- It's sponsored by Sens. Peter Welch, Roger Marshall, Mark Warner and Bill Cassidy.
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn and another group of senators revived a Medicare Part D delinking bill last week.
State of play: Senate Democrats failed to hotline the December health package last week that included PBM reform measures.
- House Democrats have urged the GOP to bring up a standalone PBM bill under suspension, while Rep. Buddy Carter is pushing for it in reconciliation.
