Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1728
Brief Description: Reauthorizing and amending dates for the total cost of insulin work group.
Sponsors: Representatives Maycumber and Cody; by request of Health Care Authority.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends the report deadlines and expiration date for the Total Cost of Insulin Work Group.
Hearing Date: 1/10/22
Staff: Phillip Craig (786-7291) and Kim Weidenaar (786-7120).
Background:

In 2020 the Legislature established the Total Cost of Insulin Work Group (Work Group) to review and design strategies to reduce the cost of­—and total expenditures on—insulin in the state.  The Work Group consists of the insurance commissioner and a representative appointed by the Governor from each of the following organizations:

  • the Prescription Drug Purchasing Consortium;
  • the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission;
  • an association representing independent pharmacies;
  • an association representing chain pharmacies;
  • each health carrier offering at least one health plan in a commercial market in the state;
  • each health carrier offering at least one health plan to state or public school employees in the state;
  • an association representing health carriers;
  • the Public Employees' Benefits Board or the School Employees' Benefits Board;
  • the Health Care Authority (HCA);
  • a pharmacy benefit manager that contracts with state purchasers;
  • a drug distributor or wholesaler that distributes or sells insulin in the state;
  • a state agency that purchases health care services and drugs for a selected population;
  • the Attorney General's Office; and
  • an organization representing diabetes patients who is living with diabetes.


The Work Group was required to submit a preliminary report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2020, and to submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2021.  The Work Group expires on December 1, 2022.


On July 1, 2021, the HCA submitted a report to the Legislature stating that the Work Group was unable to convene before funding for the Work Group lapsed on June 30, 2021.
Summary of Bill:

The Total Cost of Insulin Work Group (Work Group) must submit a preliminary report detailing strategies to reduce the cost of insulin by December 1, 2022.  The Work Group must submit the final report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2023.  The Work Group expires on December 1, 2024. 


If funding for the Work Group is not provided by June 30, 2022, this act is null and void.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 4, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.