H 4346
An Act to ensure access to prescription medications
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve access to prescription medications in Massachusetts by establishing a system for managing the costs of drugs covered by pharmacy benefit managers. It requires pharmacy benefit managers to use a ‘maximum allowable cost list’ based on FDA ratings and drug availability, and it creates a process for pharmacies to appeal these costs if they are deemed unfair. The bill also addresses reimbursement rates for MassHealth and Accountable Care Organizations and protects pharmacists’ ability to inform patients about medication options.
Key provisions
- Establishes a ‘maximum allowable cost list’ for drugs based on FDA ratings and drug availability.
- Requires pharmacy benefit managers to make cost data available to pharmacies.
- Creates a process for pharmacies to appeal drug costs if they are not fair.
- Specifies criteria for pharmacy appeals, including ingredient costs and availability of alternative drugs.
- Prohibits retroactive discounts like Generic Effective Rate and Brand Effective Rate.
- Mandates that pharmacy benefit managers include payment information in explanations of benefits.
- Requires pharmacy benefits managers to update maximum allowable cost lists regularly and make them accessible to pharmacies.
- Protects pharmacists’ ability to inform patients about medication costs and alternatives.
Who is affected
- Pharmacies
- Pharmacy Benefit Managers
- Patients
- Health Benefit Plans
- Massachusetts Licensed Wholesalers
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsor
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Bill H.4346 194th (Current)
An Act to ensure access to prescription medications
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Financial Services Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 5 actions for Bill H.4346
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 7/31/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Financial Services |
| 7/31/2025 | House | New draft of H1326 |
| 7/31/2025 | House | Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing |
| 12/8/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026 |
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