Bill > LD697

This bill modifies the structure and responsibilities of the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board (MPDAB) to enhance its ability to reduce prescription drug costs. Key changes include increasing the board's membership by adding an ex officio, non-voting member from the Maine Health Data Organization, expanding the advisory council by one member to include a representative from health insurance carriers, and clarifying that board members (except the ex officio member) are entitled to legislative per diem and expense reimbursement. The bill also significantly broadens the MPDAB's powers and duties, directing it to assess various strategies for reducing prescription drug costs and the rate of spending growth, including exploring reference-based pricing (a method of setting payment limits based on what other payers are paying for the same drug), empowering the board to set upper payment limits, and investigating transparency requirements for supply chain entities like pharmacy benefit managers (companies that manage prescription drug benefits for health plans). Furthermore, the bill mandates the MPDAB to consider the experiences of other states with similar affordability boards and requires the board to develop and submit preliminary and final plans for a prescription drug affordability program, including proposals for legislative action, by specific dates in 2026 and 2027, respectively, and includes an appropriation to fund a new position to support the board's work.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=697&snum=132