Pharmacist supports HB 1358 filed by Representative Hunter
February 18, 2013
Fellow pharmacists, I am writing you to tell you about an important pharmacy bill that was filed last week by one of our most dependable friends in the Legislature, Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi.
HB 1358 establishes reasonable procedures for managed care organizations and PBMs to abide by in auditing pharmacy claims. It places appropriate limits on payment to auditors, defines standard auditing procedures and establishes a definitive appeals process in which pharmacies can contest audit findings. The bill was drafted by the Texas Pharmacy Business Council, the state’s leading advocacy group for independent pharmacy. And the important safeguards it contains apply to all retail pharmacies in the state.
Rep. Hunter was the author of HB 2292 in the 2011 session, which enacted important prompt payment and audit protections. His new legislation will further curb abusive PBM audit practices that erode our ability to effectively operate our businesses and give our patients the best care. It will allow reasonable audits while protecting us from the predatory tactics that some PBMs use in conducting them.
Many of you know me. I own Moore’s Pharmacies and I am a longtime member of the Coastal Bend Pharmacy Association. I served as president of the Texas Pharmacy Association and I’m on the Board of the Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas. I also serve on the Board of the Texas Pharmacy Business Council.
I have known Rep. Hunter since he was first elected to the Legislature in 1988. He has long defended our interests and those of other small businesses and he deserves our thanks as well as our continued support. I urge all of you – independent and chain pharmacists alike – to call or email to thank him and to express your support for HB 1358. You can reach Rep. Hunter here:
Corpus Christi
15217 S.P.I.D., Suite 205
Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Phone: 361-949-4603
or
Austin
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768
Phone: 512-463-0672
hunter.todd@house.state.tx.us
Thanks for your support. All community pharmacists need to stand together with Rep. Hunter to defend our businesses from predatory PBMs so we can focus better on those who need us most – our patients.
Sincerely,
Bill Moore, R.Ph.
Director and Past President, Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas
Director, Texas Pharmacy Business Council
