Mississippi House Speaker Jason White has signaled that lawmakers may call a special session to revive stalled reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), according to sources familiar with legislative discussions. The potential move comes after a key bill failed to pass during the regular session, leaving unresolved what advocates call critical oversight of middlemen in prescription drug pricing.
PBMs, which negotiate drug prices between insurers and pharmacies, have faced increasing scrutiny nationwide for opaque pricing practices that critics say drive up healthcare costs. Mississippi’s proposed reforms would have imposed new transparency requirements and prohibited certain controversial practices like spread pricing – where PBMs charge insurers more than they pay pharmacies and keep the difference.
‘This remains a priority issue for many members who’ve heard constituents’ concerns about rising medication costs,’ said one legislative staffer speaking on background. Pharmaceutical and patient advocacy groups have lobbied heavily for the reforms, while PBM industry representatives argue additional regulations could disrupt drug supply chains.
If convened, the special session would mark the second time in three years Mississippi lawmakers have taken up PBM regulation outside the normal legislative calendar. Analysts suggest the timing may be influenced by November elections, with healthcare costs emerging as a potent campaign issue.