This week's survey

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are businesses that oversee and manage prescription drug benefits. This management role is typically performed on behalf of health insurers. PBMs construct formularies, contract with pharmacies, and process and pay prescription drug claims. PBMs play a major role in the prescription drug supply system.

Earlier this session, Assembly Bill 114 was introduced. The bill author's goal is to reform PBMs to assist in lowering out-of-pocket drug costs for consumers, while simultaneously increasing access to prescribed medications. 

The bill requires PBMs to be licensed with the commissioner of insurance. The license may be suspended or revoked if a PBM knowingly violates law, rules, or other OCI policies; harms enrollees or the public; or lacks adequate financial resources. The bill requires PBMs to submit annual transparency reports to the insurance commissioner. The insurance commissioner would be allowed to perform audits of PBMs, which is similar to existing audit capabilities of insurance companies. The bill author's intention is to ensure that PBMs act within the best interest of consumers.

Additionally, Assembly Bill 114 prohibits PBMs from banning pharmacies from informing patients of lower-cost options to pay for prescription drugs. Pharmacies would be required to post signage describing the pharmacists' ability to substitute equivalent, yet less expensive drugs, whenever possible. The bill would require the Pharmacy Examining Board to generate a list of the 100 commonly prescribed generic drugs and their brand names. Individual pharmacies would be required to generate a monthly list detailing the retail price of these 100 drugs at their respective pharmacies. 

Please, take a minute to answer this week's survey question regarding PBM regulation.

Click here for my survey

Committees and Legislation

This week, from a committee standpoint, was extremely busy. I participated in public hearings and executive sessions in the Assembly Committee on Local Government, Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Assembly Committee on Judiciary, and Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. 

Assembly Bill 717, relating to capital loss deduction, that I co-authored with Senator Stroebel, was approved by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. Additionally, the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate approved Assembly Bill 691, sending it to the full Assembly for final passage. 

Assembly Bill 793

Last week, a public hearing was held in the Assembly Committee on Environment, on Assembly Bill 793, that I co-authored with Senator Howard Marklein. Assembly Bill 793 was one of several introduced by the Speaker's Task Force on Water Quality. 

This bill revises language in Chapter NR 199 to allow for funding of a broader distribution of project types within the Municipal Flood Control Grant Program. The current rule requires the list of eligible projects to be considered in a priority order. The first four eligible activities include land acquisition and removal of structures within a floodplain, which not only affect a municipality's tax base, but also lead to funding being directed away from other eligible activities such as erosion control and construction of water collection and retention structures that may have additional positive impacts on water quality.

Assembly Bill 793 removes "in priority order" from Chapter NR 199 and requires that cost-effectiveness and loss of tax base are considered when awarding grants. The bill does not change the list of eligible projects or the purpose of the grant, only the process by which funds are awarded. The bill was passed out of the Assembly Committee on Environment, earlier this week. 

Testifying with Senator Dan Feyen before the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

Constituent Corner

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with farmers from Washington and Ozaukee Counties, county officials, and local realtors who were in Madison for their legislative days.

Lastly, I met with a group of local Boy Scouts who were tasked with learning more about public service and the role of state legislators.  

If you are ever in Madison, feel to stop by my office, 216 North. If you would like to meet in-district, please contact my office to schedule a meeting. 

Meeting with a group of Boy Scouts from Saukville 

Meeting with farmers from Washington and Ozaukee Counties during their annual legislative day. 

Participating in a panel discussion with my colleagues during realtor legislative day. 

State of Wisconsin Blue Books

My office still has an abundance of 2019-2021 State of Wisconsin Blue Books. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please click the following link. My staff and I will make it a priority to ensure that your copy arrives in a timely fashion.

Events

The following are events that will be held this week in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events you would like included, please contact my office. 

Artists Talk, February 8, Port Washington

Valentine Studio, February 8, Port Washington

Chicken Comedy with Skip Griparis, February 8, Port Washington

First Friday Concert at the CCC: Hungry Williams, February 7, Cedarburg

Stay up to date

One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).