Bill > SCR69

This joint resolution requests the Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) to convene a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group aimed at identifying policies to lower drug costs and improve healthcare access. The working group would include representatives from various state agencies, professional associations, pharmacies, and the PBM industry, and would be tasked with evaluating key areas such as appropriate state oversight of PBM practices, reporting requirements, fair pharmacy audit procedures, and protections against medication under-reimbursements. Pharmacy Benefit Managers are intermediaries between pharmacies and insurance companies who have increasingly influenced drug pricing over the past decade. The resolution specifically instructs the working group to avoid requesting proprietary or legally protected information and requires them to submit a report with findings and recommended legislation to the Legislature 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session. The working group's formation is motivated by the legislature's priorities of medication price transparency and the potential to create more equitable drug pricing structures, as referenced by a related Senate Bill (SB 1509) proposing to require PBMs and insurers to pass rebate savings to consumers and establish minimum reimbursement rates.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=69&year=2025