Bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing transparency to pricing practices of pharmacy benefits managers was signed into law by Wolf, its sponsors said in a statement Dec. 1. State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, said the measure would reduce costs to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program. State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, was the key Democratic co-sponsor of the bill.

“We have been working on this legislation for more than three years and during that time have continued to hear from our local pharmacies about severe cuts to pharmacy reimbursement rates by PBMs, especially in Medicaid,” Heffley said. “For many medications, payments are well below cost, forcing pharmacies to operate in the red. These cuts in reimbursements make it extremely difficult for the 900 independent pharmacies in Pennsylvania to maintain inventory, stay in business and serve our most vulnerable citizens.”