Republican voters in Alabama are expressing opposition to proposals that would impose new fees on prescription transactions through pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Survey data obtained by Alabama Daily News reveals that 79% of Republican voters oppose legislation that could potentially increase costs for businesses and their employees. The proposed bills aim to require PBMs to reimburse pharmacists for drug costs and add a dispensing fee for each prescription filled, in response to pharmacists claiming they are at risk of going out of business due to inadequate compensation from PBMs.
The Business Council of Alabama commissioned the poll, which also found that 84% of respondents opposed the legislation when informed that it could cost employers $347 million annually. The survey highlighted that 66% of Republican voters consider healthcare an important issue, with 69% prioritizing lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs.
Currently, two PBM bills are being considered in the Alabama Senate. Senate Bill 93, proposed by Sen. Andrew Jones, ties the fee to Medicare rates, while Senate Bill 99 from Sen. Larry Stutts includes a set fee plus an additional percentage of drug costs. A public hearing on the bills took place last month, but no committee vote has been made.
The poll, conducted by Arc Insights, surveyed 504 likely Republican voters and has a margin of error of 4.38%. The results emphasize the concerns of Republican voters in Alabama regarding the potential impact of new prescription fees on businesses and healthcare costs in the state.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
