In the past several months, many states have passed laws supporting PBM reform. Vermont may be the next. On March 25, 2022, the Vermont House of Representatives passed a new bill, H 353, that would limit pharmacy benefit managers and increase transparency across the state. The bill comes after a record number of Vermont pharmacies have closed in recent months. H 353 aims to close that gap. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Source:
VT Digger
Vermont is due to renew its Global Commitment to Health as it expires at the end of the 2021 calendar year. The proposed 5-year extension seeks to move the Medicaid population to a new risk-bearing, state-run, public managed care organization (MCO). The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) would accept the risk for the Medicaid population, starting January 1, 2022, and cover health services - including pharmacy services.
Source:
Health Management
H 439 has been signed by the Governor of Vermont in order to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the state. This law prohibits a PBM from restricting access to a pharmacy network or changing reimbursement rates for a pharmacy solely based on that pharmacy's participation in a 340B contract arrangement.
Source:
Vermont General Assembly