The committee is considering three bills aimed at tackling one of the biggest cost drivers in medicine today -- outrageously priced biological wonder drugs. One bill would prevent health insurers from gouging consumers who need these medications. A second bill would require pharmaceuticals to report their profit information to the Oregon Health Authority. The third bill would free pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved biosimilars without special state barriers.
The state has lacked an official privacy policy to govern people who give rides to Medicaid clients, creating a potential liability nightmare. As a result, the Portland-area CCOs will not be ready to take over responsibility for non-emergency transportation services, although others, including Salem, are moving ahead in July.