R 410
2019 -- H 6260 AS AMENDED
Enacted 06/28/2019

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION TO EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND GUIDELINES FOR STEP THERAPY PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROTOCOLS

Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Shekarchi, Cortvriend, Edwards, and Phillips
Date Introduced: June 27, 2019

     WHEREAS, Various health plans provided by health insurers, nonprofit hospital service
corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations use
step therapy protocols to optimize prescribing prescription medications and control costs incurred
for prescription medications by requiring that patients first try lower cost alternatives before
gaining access to more expensive options; and
     WHEREAS, A valid concern is that this approach can impede immediate access to vital
treatments by requiring patients to try therapies that have previously been proven less effective or
wholly ineffective; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting of thirteen (13) fifteen (15) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the
House, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House; one of whom shall be a representative from a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the
Rhode Island Medical Society, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode
Island Department of Health Administration, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be
representatives from the health insurance industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;
one of whom shall be a licensed pharmacist from a retail chain, to be appointed by the Speaker of
the House; one of whom shall be a member of the public, to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House; one of whom shall be a representative from the pharmaceutical industry, to be appointed
by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative from the American Cancer
Society, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a Rhode Island
representative of the New England Hemophilia Association, to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House; one of whom shall be a representative of the Arthritis Foundation Rhode Island, to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of whom shall be the President of America's
Health Insurance Plans (AHP), or designee.
     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory
commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly
resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu
of a legislator.
     The purpose of said commission shall be to examine current clinical guidelines,
screening, policies, and procedures for step therapy prescription drug protocols used by insurers,
health plans, and various health care providers and recommend possible alternative options,
appeal procedures, and screening methods to provide for more immediate coverage and
eligibility, and review the cost impact for the utilization and prescription of augmented
prescription drugs.
     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select from among the legislators, a
chairperson
     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
for said commission; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
House of Representatives no later than April 28, 2020, and said commission shall expire on May
28, 2020.
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LC002930
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