Bill Text: MS SB2757 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Alternative Funding Task Force; create from members of the Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2025-02-04 - Died In Committee [SB2757 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-SB2757-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Senator(s) McMahan (By Request)
Senate Bill 2757
AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FUNDING PROGRAMS ON PATIENT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE COMPRISED OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL OR THEIR DESIGNEES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE HELD BY MAY 15, 2025; TO SPECIFY THE SUBJECTS AND ISSUES THAT THE STUDY SHALL CONSIDER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL COMPLETE THE STUDY NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2025, AND TRANSMIT COPIES OF THE STUDY TO CERTAIN PERSONS, AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY, TOGETHER WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION, TO CERTAIN OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to conduct a study of the impact of alternative funding programs on patient access to affordable prescription drugs, for the purpose of ensuring access to medically necessary medication for patients in Mississippi. The members of the task force shall be comprised of the members of the Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council established by Section 41-145-3, and any member of the council may appoint a designee who shall serve on the task force on his or her behalf.
(2) The member of the council who is a physician with experience treating rare diseases who is practicing in the state shall serve as the chairman of the task force, and the staff of the council shall provide support to the task force.
(3) A majority of the total membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum, and any official action by the task force shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
(4) The names of any persons who are designated by council members as provided in subsection (1) of this section shall be submitted to the chairman of the task force within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The chairman shall call the first meeting of the task force by May 15, 2025.
(5) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for traveling expenses and mileage, as provided under Section 25-3-41, subject to the availability of funding.
(6) The task force shall conduct a study on the impact of alternative funding programs on patient access to affordable prescription drugs, which shall include a study of the following:
(a) The history and prevalence of alternative funding programs in the United States and Mississippi, including, but not limited to, the types of health insurance products that use, in whole or in part, alternative funding programs to provide access, coverage or discounts for prescription drugs;
(b) The business model of alternative funding programs;
(c) The impact of alternative funding programs on patient assistance programs for prescription medications, including, but not limited to, long-term stability of those patient assistance programs if an upswing in alternative funding programs is realized across an increased number of health insurance products; and
(d) The impact of alternative funding programs on coverage of prescription medications if the use of alternative funding programs is expanded across additional insurance products, including, but not limited to, commercial health coverage plans, health coverage plans offered to public employees, and health coverage plans offered to individuals in the state's health insurance exchange.
(7) (a) The task force shall meet as necessary and shall complete the study not later than December 1, 2025, and transmit copies of the study to the executive director of the Mississippi State Medical Association; the executive director of the Mississippi Oncology Society; the president of the Mississippi Economic Council; the president of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association; the chief executive officer of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; and the executive director of the Mississippi Independent Pharmacies Association.
(b) The task force shall also provide, not later than December 1, 2025, a written report of its findings from the study, together with any recommendations for legislation, to the Governor, the Director of the Division of Medicaid, the House Medicaid Committee, the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, the House State Affairs Committee, the Senate Medicaid Committee, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the Senate Government Structure Committee.
(8) The task force shall terminate upon the date of submission of its study.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
