HF 1093

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/11/2025 12:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; directing commissioner of human services to establish
a prescription drug purchasing program; specifying program authority and eligibility
requirements; requiring recommendations; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256B.86] PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment of program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services
shall administer and oversee a prescription drug purchasing program for prescription drugs
provided to program participants.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "program participants" means medical assistance and
MinnesotaCare enrollees served under the fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties of commissioner. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, through the prescription drug
purchasing program, shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) obtain prescription drugs for program participants at the lowest possible prices;
new text end

new text begin (2) promote health through the purchase and provision of discounted prescription drugs
and coordination of comprehensive prescription benefit services for program participants;
new text end

new text begin (3) maintain a list of prescription drugs recommended as the most effective prescription
drugs available at the best possible prices;
new text end

new text begin (4) administer prescription drug benefits for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare; and
new text end

new text begin (5) adjudicate pharmacy claims and transmit program prices and other information to
pharmacies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program authority. new text end

new text begin (a) To accomplish the purposes of the prescription drug
purchasing program, the commissioner, in consultation with the Formulary Committee
established under section 256B.0625, subdivision 13c, has the authority to:
new text end

new text begin (1) adopt or develop a preferred drug list;
new text end

new text begin (2) engage in price negotiations with prescription drug manufacturers, wholesalers, or
group purchasing organizations to obtain price discounts and rebates for prescription drugs
for program participants; and
new text end

new text begin (3) develop and manage a drug formulary for the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may contract with one or more entities to perform any of the
functions described in paragraph (a) but must not shift risk to a nongovernmental entity
without specific authorization by law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Pharmacies. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall set the terms and conditions for pharmacies
to participate in the program. The commissioner shall enroll all pharmacies participating
as medical assistance providers, and any other pharmacy licensed under chapter 151 willing
to accept the terms and conditions, in the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Federal approval. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall seek any necessary federal approvals
to implement this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval,
whichever is later, except that subdivision 5 is effective the day following final enactment.
The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval
is obtained.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EXPANSION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioners of
commerce and health, shall develop recommendations for expanding the prescription drug
purchasing program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.86, to include
enrollees of health plan companies that have contracted with the commissioner to participate
in the program. The recommendations must address the process and terms by which the
commissioner would contract with health plan companies to administer prescription drug
benefits and develop and manage a drug formulary. The commissioner shall present
recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over commerce and health and human services finance and policy by
December 15, 2027.
new text end