Florida House Health Quality Subcommittee Approves Workers’ Compensation Repackaged Drugs Bill Estimated to Save $27 Million Annually
Mar 19, 2013
At its meeting today, March 19, 2013, the Florida House of Representatives’ Health Quality Subcommittee (“Subcommittee”) unanimously approved HB 605 relating to Workers’ Compensation.
Sponsor State Representative Matt Hudson presented his bill, which would require the same rate of reimbursement for relabeled or repackaged drugs under the provisions of Florida’s workers’ compensation system. He noted that HB 605 is expected to result in a savings of $27 million.
State Representative Bryan Nelson asked what the savings would be to the State of Florida if HB 605 were to be enacted. Representative Hudson responded that the projected savings, which are a function of doctors’ prescribing habits, have been estimated to save anywhere from as much as 5.6 percent, to as little as 1.2 percent over the years.
Representatives of various business and employer trade associations were present to support HB 605.
Representatives of the medical profession and dispensing physicians spoke against the measure, stating that they anticipated that the cost savings would not be nearly as much as what proponents have predicted.
HB 605 passed the Subcommittee unanimously. It must now proceed to the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, and then the Health and Human Services Committee before proceeding to the House Floor.
To view a comprehensive analysis of HB 605, click here. To view complete bill information, click here.
Identical legislation has been filed by Senator Alan Hays as SB 662.
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