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In this Update:
Legislation to Reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers
I will be introducing legislation alongside Sen. Judy Ward and Sen. Pat Stefano to substantially reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to better serve Pennsylvania residents. PBMs are third-party companies that act as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, managing drug benefits on behalf of health insurers, employers, government programs and others. Act 77 of 2024 started the process of reigning in PBMs that were harming local pharmacies and jeopardizing the health and safety of commonwealth residents. While those reforms were an important step forward, additional action is needed to protect access to essential medical care. The proposed legislation would grant the Office of Attorney General authority to review all contractual renewals and terminations between pharmacies and PBMs to assess their impact on local communities. It would also provide the Attorney General with statutory authority to pursue legal remedies against PBMs on behalf of the commonwealth and its residents, a power the office currently does not have. Additionally, the legislation would require PBMs to appear in Pennsylvania courts for any cause of action arising from conduct within the commonwealth. This provision would prevent PBMs from forcing Pennsylvania residents to travel across the country to defend their access to essential medical care. To improve government efficiency, the bill would require the state Board of Pharmacy to automatically notify PBMs of any disciplinary action taken against a pharmacy by the board or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It would also prohibit PBMs from holding a pharmacy license in Pennsylvania. Finally, the legislation would expand contractual limitations established under Act 77 of 2024 by ensuring that terminations cannot occur solely based on the successful completion of corrective action plans, along with other measures designed to protect fair business practices and patient access to care. Over the past several months, I have worked collaboratively to address the current disruption in access to care in our region. While productive conversations have taken place, it is now clear that further legislative action is necessary. The residents of the commonwealth should not have their essential prescriptions held hostage due to a contractual dispute. Key Points from This Week’s Senate Budget Hearings
Senate budget hearings began this week to focus on trimming down the governor’s $53.3 billion state budget proposal, which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. Hearing Explores Ideas to Address Housing Development
Efforts to make housing more attainable for working families were reviewed during a Senate hearing with local government officials, housing advocates, builders and developers. The Senate Majority Policy Committee heard how housing shortages drive up costs for Pennsylvanian families and stall economic growth. Among the solutions explored were infrastructure partnership programs to help lower upfront development costs, state tax credits, development incentives and bond financing specifically targeted to middle-income housing development, and more. Video of the full hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. As discussions on housing development occur in Harrisburg, I have sponsored legislation to reform public housing in the commonwealth to ensure that illegal immigrants are not eligible for taxpayer funded public housing and require public housing safety committees to ensure residents and the community are safe from violence and other illegal activity. Share Your Thoughts with the Highway Safety Survey
Pennsylvania motorists have until Saturday to provide input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through an anonymous online survey. The aim is to understand attitudes on state Department of Transportation safety measures and reduce crashes and fatalities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. The number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928. While 2025 fatality data is not yet complete, preliminary numbers indicate crash fatalities have again decreased. Earlier this session, I supported legislation to fund additional road and bridge projects across the commonwealth in a fiscally responsible manner. This measure currently sits in the House of Representatives. Saturday is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages of these vital workers can disrupt schedules and learning. Earlier this session, I co-sponsored legislation to ensure students and bus drivers are safe while transporting students in the commonwealth. This legislation passed the Senate and is currently in the House of Representatives. Thank you to all the men and women performing this critical task in our area. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the commonwealth’s Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more. Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Assistance
If you need help with your property tax/rent rebate application, my office will be hosting assistance events in Johnstown and Clearfield next month. To register for one of these events, please call or stop by the location of the event you’d like to attend. See the flyers above for more information. Consumer Program and Unclaimed Property Seminar
On March 19, my office will be hosting a Consumer Program and Unclaimed Property Seminar with the Pennsylvania Treasury at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown. Come out to learn about savings programs and how to recover unclaimed property. Topics will include the PA 529 College & Career Savings Program, PA ABLE Savings Program, and Unclaimed Property. Treasury representatives will be available after the presentation to help you check for unclaimed property and guide you through filing a claim. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, and more. I was proud to support legislation to streamline the unclaimed property process by allowing Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property valued up to $500. Registration is recommended at senatorlangerholc.com/unclaimed-property-seminar-reg. News for Veterans Sign Up
I am now offering a monthly e-newsletter with updates on news and information for veterans! If you are interested in receiving my veterans e-newsletter, please visit my website to sign up here. Share Your Local Events
If you’re hosting a local event, I want to hear about it. Please send your event details to wlangerholc@pasen.gov. If the event is free and open to the public, it could be highlighted in my e-newsletter or featured on my Facebook page to help share it with the community. |
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