It was a busy week for committees in both the House and Senate as the first funnel deadline looms in March. Both houses have begun debating bills on the floor, with the House passing several bills this week aiming to improve childcare. House Republicans have made passing childcare assistance a priority this session, but many of the bills received bipartisan support. 

SF 296, IPA's bill to increase access to pharmacist services, advanced out of full committee unanimously on Tuesday. The bill will now await consideration by the entire Senate. The Board of Pharmacy's bill in the House also moved out of full committee. HSB 73 would update pilot project authority for the Board of Pharmacy and broaden the delegation of technical functions under a pharmacist. Both bills have companions in the House/Senate that should also be considered by full committees soon.  

Legislation to extend pharmacist authority to dispense emergency medication also advanced out of the House. House File 262 would allow pharmacists to re-fill prescriptions for insulin, epinephrine pens, and inhalers in emergencies, even if a patient does not have any refills available. 

Each week throughout the session, we will keep you updated in the #1 section of the TOP 5 e-newsletter. IPA provides a bill tracker, listing all bills IPA is following on behalf of our members. If you are interested in taking on a greater role in pharmacy advocacy this year, consider signing up for IPA's Champion Advocate initiative. In addition, watch your inbox for Advocacy Alerts from IPA asking you to take part in a grassroots effort on particular legislation, telling you who to contact and what you need to say. These grassroots efforts are critical to our advocacy efforts.