Bill > S603

This bill establishes a special commission to explore the creation of a system for bulk purchasing and distributing naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and other drugs that are important for public health and could lead to significant healthcare cost savings through larger purchases. This commission will have 11 members, including representatives from the Department of Public Health, the Group Insurance Commission, the state office of pharmacy services, the division of medical assistance, and chairs of the joint committee on health care financing, along with five appointees with expertise in health economics, law, academia, hospital administration, and public consumer protection. The commission is tasked with studying all aspects of such a system, holding at least three public hearings across different regions of the state, and gathering input from various stakeholders including insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, hospitals, municipalities, healthcare providers, community health centers, substance abuse providers, and educational institutions. After its study, the commission must submit a report with its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislative or regulatory changes to legislative clerks and relevant committees, detailing how the state could make bulk purchases, how other entities could join, how to distribute these purchases efficiently, potential funding sources, anticipated cost savings, opportunities for federal or regional partnerships, and overall strategies to reduce drug costs for the state, other organizations, and consumers, with a deadline of eight months after the bill becomes law.