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In this Update:
Legislation to Reform PBMs Announced
Sens. Wayne Langerholc, Jr., Pat Stefano and I, have announced legislation that we are working on which will substantially reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to better serve Pennsylvania residents. PBMs are third-party companies that act as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, managing drug benefits on behalf of health insurers, employers, government programs and others. Act 77 of 2024 started the process of reigning in PBMs that were harming local pharmacies and jeopardizing the health and safety of commonwealth residents. While those reforms were an important step forward, additional action is needed to protect access to essential medical care. The proposed legislation would grant the Office of Attorney General authority to review all contractual renewals and terminations between pharmacies and PBMs to assess their impact on local communities. It would also provide the Attorney General with statutory authority to pursue legal remedies against PBMs on behalf of the commonwealth and its residents, a power the office currently does not have. Additionally, the legislation would require PBMs to appear in Pennsylvania courts for any cause of action arising from conduct within the commonwealth. This provision would prevent PBMs from forcing Pennsylvania residents to travel across the country to defend their access to essential medical care. To improve government efficiency, the bill would require the state Board of Pharmacy to automatically notify PBMs of any disciplinary action taken against a pharmacy by the board or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It would also prohibit PBMs from holding pharmacy licenses in Pennsylvania. Finally, the legislation would expand contractual limitations established under Act 77 of 2024 by ensuring that terminations cannot occur solely based on the successful completion of corrective action plans, along with other measures designed to protect fair business practices and patient access to care. Pharmacies are an important part of the medical team by providing patient access to life-saving medications. By allowing the Office of Attorney General to provide oversight to pharmacy benefit managers, we can ensure there is transparency and accountability to pharmacies across the commonwealth. Many pharmacies, especially community pharmacies, have closed their doors because of unfair PBM practices which has left many individuals and communities without a local pharmacy. These patients are left without adequate access and now must drive great distances to have a prescription filled. The legislation will be introduced in the near future. Hearings on Proposed State Budget Set to Begin
Senate hearings begin next week on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 state budget, a plan that spends too much and steers the state ever closer to a massive tax increase. The Senate Appropriations Committee will question department heads as we seek to reduce the size of the $53.3 billion spending plan that would increase spending by $2.7 billion – a 5.4% increase. It would take $4.6 billion out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which is made up of emergency reserves that protect against future tax hikes. The committee begins two weeks of hearings on Monday. I’ll post recaps of each week’s hearings in this e-newsletter so you know what’s being planned for your tax dollars. Preventing Food Allergies and Cutting Costs for Taxpayers
Making preventative supplements available to families could prevent more than 80% of peanut and egg allergies and save taxpayers millions, according to testimony given at a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing. Approximately 1.3 million Pennsylvanians are afflicted with a food allergy. One expert testified the rate of children with a food allergy has grown by 50% over the past 20 years, with rates of peanut and tree nut allergies rising by 300%. The average cost of a child with a peanut allergy is more than $7,200 per year. Among the topics discussed was legislation that would require no-cost health insurance coverage for early peanut and egg introduction dietary supplements for infants. Video of the hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. Free Webinars Help Families Plan for Higher Education
For students and parents needing help with college financial aid, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers free webinars on applying for aid and reviewing offers, options for non-traditional students and other important topics. Upcoming webinars include:
Check the full list here for dates and times. The page includes past webinar recordings for topics you might have missed. Avoiding the Emotional and Financial Toll of Romance Scams
Valentine’s Day is behind us, but romance scammers never go away. You can help yourself or a loved one avoid heartbreak and serious financial loss by knowing the warning signs. These scammers research a target’s social media to gather personal details, allowing them to mirror interests and build trust. According to state Attorney General Dave Sunday, common romance scammer behavior includes:
Consumers who feel they may have been victimized by this or any other scam may submit a complaint to the Bureau of Consumer Protection, email scams@attorneygeneral.gov or call 1-800-441-2555. Snowmobiling Opportunities in State Parks and Forests
For wintertime fun, our state parks and forests offer thousands of miles and hundreds of acres of designated snowmobile areas. Snowmobile trails are open until April 1 or earlier as determined by the district forester or park manager. It depends on having enough snow on the ground, so check the trail conditions page before you head out to see if trails are open and ready for riding. Riders must stay on roads and trails marked open for snowmobiles. Some trails used for snowmobiling may be open to vehicular traffic. Snowmobilers may also ride on state game lands on designated snowmobile areas, roads and trails. Out and About in the 30th DistrictBlair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club Meeting This month’s Blair County Chamber of Commerce breakfast club meeting featured Wayne Hippo, CEO of Fortiva AI, LLC, and Bruce Moser, Vice President of AI Technology at PS Solutions, experts in the Artificial Intelligence industry. Wayne and Bruce gave an overview of how businesses are successfully using AI and explained some of the common myths and realities.
Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce State of the County I attended the “State of the County” address at the recent Coffee Connection sponsored by the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce. It was helpful for me to hear Commissioners Scott Walls, Patrick Reeder, and Jeff Thomas provide an update on issues important to the county.
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