Taking the Pulse, A Health Care and Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 244: The Future of Independent Physician Practices with Ray Waldrup of The Leaders Rheum
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - Cost, Care and Captives: A Mid-Size Employer’s Guide to Benefit Trends
Taking the Pulse: A Health Care & Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 239: Understanding the 340B Pricing Program with Chuck Melendi of Disruptive Dialogue
Understanding Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The PBM Landscape Explained
EpiPen RICO Ruling Opens Door for Private AKS Enforcement
Part Two: The MFN Drug Pricing Rule and the Rebate Rule: Where Do We Go From Here?
Part One: Two new Medicare Drug Pricing Rules in One Day: What are the MFN and the Rebate Drug Pricing Rules?
Drug Pricing Initiatives During the Trump Presidency
Heather Hoopes-Matthews and Matthew Roberts welcome Chuck Melendi, a seasoned healthcare consultant and former executive with decades of experience in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices. Chuck joins us to examine...more
[embedded content] Host, Bridgette Keller is joined by Associate, David Gilboa to break down the highlights from our Spring 2025 PBM Policy and Legislative Update. In just five minutes, we cover the most impactful federal and...more
In a first-of-its-kind move, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has enacted legislation prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers ("PBMs") from owning or operating pharmacies within the state. The law—Act 624—takes effect...more
This is the third article in a series of summaries of insurance legislation from the 95th Arkansas General Assembly....more
Reconciliation Text Is Here - Late Sunday night, May 11, 2025, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce released the much-anticipated budget reconciliation bill text ahead of its scheduled markup on May 13, 2025. ...more
Arkansas has become the first state in the nation to enact legislation, effective starting in 2026, prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers (PBM’s) from owning or operating actual pharmacies within the state. We take a look at...more
On April 16, 2025, Arkansas House Bill 1150 (the “Bill”) was signed by Governor Huckabee Sanders. The Bill will have substantial implications for pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) and pharmacies across the country....more
Below is Alston & Bird’s Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in health care regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies,...more
Key points include access to medicines in medicare is reduced as the IRA is implemented; fewer drugs are covered on Medicare Part D formularies in 2025 relative to 2024; medicines for serious conditions with high unmet needs...more
On August 15, 2024, CMS announced the results of the first round of the negotiated prices between CMS and participating drug manufacturers for the 10 selected drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Medicare Drug...more
Six months into the fiscal year, Congress has finally passed FY2024 appropriations. It was a painstaking process, which many expected to include policy victories that both sides could celebrate. Instead, the spring work...more
The Lower Costs More Transparency Act of 2023, passed by the House 320-71 on Monday, December 11, 2023, would institute new transparency and pricing rules on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and hospitals. The bill would...more
Senate Finance Committee Examines Drug Shortages. The hearing addressed concerns and explored potential solutions related to drug shortages in the United States, particularly focusing on essential medications. The hearing...more
CONGRESS - Senate Finance Committee Holds Markup on Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act. The bipartisan package includes Medicare and Medicaid extenders, provisions to expand the mental health...more
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) take note! Under Florida’s new Prescription Drug Reform Act, PBMs must be licensed as an insurance administrator (also known as a third-party administrator, or TPA). Under this new law, any...more
August 31, 2023 – When it comes to prescription drug costs, policymakers have set their focus on the consumer: “Let’s lower drug prices for the consumer.” “Let’s give consumers more options in paying their out-of-pocket...more
On June 27, 2023, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed into law Public Act 23-171“An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs” (Act), which includes changes to the state’s implementation of the...more
As their 2023 sessions draw to a close, mostly part-time state legislatures have continued their efforts throughout the spring to promote drug price transparency across the prescription drug supply chain. Notable among these...more
The House and Senate were both in session this week, with significant healthcare activity at the committee level. The House Ways & Means Committee met to discuss healthcare price transparency, and the Ways & Means Health...more
Though many recent reforms regarding prescription drug affordability have been focused on manufacturers and health plans, pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) are also the focus of increased attention from federal policymakers...more
New York recently enacted legislation, SB 3762, requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers (“PBMs”) doing business in New York to register and then become licensed with the New York Department of Financial Services (“DFS”). The law...more
On December 31, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed landmark legislation to increase the transparency of prescription drug pricing and to establish requirements on pharmacy middlemen. This new law is amongst 100 ...more
On December 21, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Final Rule that materially modifies current Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP) regulations, largely finalizing the proposed rule dated June...more