On Tuesday, IPA's PBM reform legislation (HF 2401) passed the House of Representatives on a 93-3 vote. On Wednesday, the bill passed a Senate Committee to survive the second funnel. We extend a special thank you to Representative Shannon Lundgren [R-Peosta] for floor managing the bill and providing overwhelmingly supportive comments in the House, as well as Senator Mike Klimesh [R-Spillville] for his support in the Senate. The proposed bill: 

• Ensures pharmacies get reimbursed for services; 
• Prohibits spread pricing; and 
• Allows pharmacies to appeal reimbursement below cost and be adequately reimbursed. 

In light of unprecedented pharmacy closures in Iowa, this bill will provide much needed relief to pharmacies struggling to serve patients. 

The bill passed with an amendment implementing a ‘PBM reverse auction' for the state employee health plan. This creates a platform for PBMs to bid against each other for the lowest possible price. IPA supports the amendment so long as pharmacy protections remain in place. These protections include adequate reimbursement for the drug product and a reasonable dispensing fee, any willing pharmacy protections, and anti-mandatory mail order. 

Please email your Senator today and encourage a ‘YES' vote on HF 2401. Click here to find your State Senator and their contact information. 

Contact Seth Brown at sbrown@iarx.org for additional resources.