Bill > H1148

This bill aims to address the issue of high drug prices in Massachusetts. It proposes that the state's Group Insurance Commission and Office of Medicaid be prohibited from entering into any agreements with drug manufacturers for the purchase of prescribed drugs, unless the net cost of the drug, after all discounts and credits, is the same as or less than the lowest price paid for the same drug by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This price ceiling would apply to all state programs where the state is the ultimate payer for the drug, even if it did not purchase the drug directly. The responsible state agency would be required to enter into additional agreements with drug manufacturers to ensure further price reductions to meet this requirement. All state departments, agencies, and entities that purchase or pay for prescribed drugs would have to implement this provision by July 1, 2018, and they may adopt administrative rules and seek necessary federal waivers to do so.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1148