FTC Request for Comments: Take Action Before April 25
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested input from the public about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug pricing and access to medication.

CSRO is calling on all rheumatologists to join us in providing this critical feedback, as it may prompt the FTC to move forward with a comprehensive review of the industry and recommend reforms to Congress.

To help ensure that the physician perspective is represented, CSRO has developed talking points to assist rheumatologists in submitting their own comments. The deadline to respond is April 25 - make your voice heard today.
Want to better understand these issues?
  • Learn more about PBMs – Visit CSRO's website to learn more about what a PBM is and the unique role they play in the prescription drug market.
  • Hear from the experts – Tune in on April 14 as CSRO President Dr. Madelaine Feldman and other experts share their perspectives on these issues in health care at a listening forum hosted by the FTC and Department of Justice (DOJ).
SAIM Awards: Arkansas Legislators Named 2021 Awardees
In 2021, CSRO, alongside the State Access to Innovative Medicines Coalition (SAIM) and other stakeholders, sought to update Arkansas’ existing step therapy law to ensure patients could get the right medicine at the right time.
 
SB 99, which was eventually signed into law as Act 97, reformed the use of step therapy by requiring exception determinations within 24 or 72 hours, adding additional clinical circumstances under which prescribers could override a step therapy protocol, and requiring that step therapy protocols be based on sound clinical guidelines.

This was made possible by the dedication and work of the SB 99’s chief sponsors Senator Cecile Bledsoe and Representative DeAnn Vaught, who ensured SB 99 sped through the Arkansas legislature to become one of the strongest laws of its kind in the country.

In recognition of their work and dedication to issues impacting patient access in their communities, SAIM decided to award both Senator Bledsoe and Representative Vaught Legislator of the Year and Patient Access Champion Awards. On April 4, representatives of CSRO, the Arkansas Rheumatology Association, and other stakeholders (pictured above) met in Little Rock to formally present the awards.
 
SAIM and CSRO thank Senator Bledsoe and Representative Vaught for their work on SB 99 and look forward to working with them in the future. 
Legislation Around the Country
ICYMI: Opportunity For Action in Your State
The following states have active legislation that need your support - make your voice heard today:

What's Happening in the States
CSRO tracks legislative activity relevant to the rheumatology community and their patients. Check out the list below to see the status of CSRO priority bills from the past two weeks. For a full status report on all the bills CSRO tracks, click here.

Be sure to check out our interactive legislative map tool for additional information about current policy in your state. Plus, don't forget to add your state to your email profile here to receive state-specific updates and action alerts via email.
CALIFORNIA
Step Therapy
  • AB 1880: Approved by Assembly Health Committee
White Bagging
  • SB 958: Amended and hearing set for 4/6/22
MAINE
Accumulator Programs
  • LD 1783: Amended, House and Senate concur, passed to be enacted
MINNESOTA
Accumulator Programs
  • HF 3611: Committee report to adopt as amended and re-refer to Health Finance and Policy committee
Rebate Pass Through
  • HF 4753: Introduced and referred to Health and Finance Policy Committee
OHIO
Accumulator Programs
  • HB 135: Passed by the full House 
OKLAHOMA
Rebate Pass Through
  • SB 1324: Transmitted to the House, referred to Public Health committee
  • HB 4087: Transmitted to the Senate, referred to Retirement and Insurance committee
TENNESSEE
Step Therapy
  • HB 677: Recommended for passage if amended
  • SB 1310: Passed by the Senate, transmitted to the House 
WASHINGTON
Accumulator Programs
  • SB 5610: Signed into law by the Governor 
Save the Date!

Find all of CSRO's event dates by visiting our Upcoming Events page, and check out past events and webinars in our Library.
Questions?
Please visit the CSRO website for other news and updates, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at info@csro.info.
CSRO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring access to the highest quality care for the management of rheumatologic diseases - donate today.