Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "(1) The department of health shall study the cost and utilization differences of prescription drugs dispensed by community pharmacies as compared to by mail order pharmacies. The study shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Review of specialty, brand named, and generic prescription drugs used for chronic and disabling conditions; and

(b) Review of cost and utilization across all commercial lines, including medicaid, department of labor and industries, public employee benefits, school employee benefits, and the Washington state health insurance pool.

(2) The department of health shall submit a report on its findings to the health care committees of the legislature by December 1, 2018."

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "service;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "creating a new section."

EFFECT: Removes requirements that health carriers obtain affirmative authorization prior to filling an enrollee's prescription, that each mail order prescription drug shipment include notices, and that health plans include information about affirmative authorization in the enrollee health plan booklet. Adds requirement that the department of health (DOH) study the cost and utilization differences of prescription drugs dispensed by community pharmacies and compared to by mail order.