SB0066Introduced in the Senate
HEALTH CARE AVAILABILITY
Introduced by Graciela Guzman, District 20
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Prohibits the Board from creating an upper payment limit that is different from the Medicare Maximum Fair Price for the prescription drug product that has a Medicare Maximum Fair Price. Requires the Board to implement an upper payment limit that is the same as the Medicare Maximum Fair Price no sooner than the Medicare implementation date. Provides that Medicare Part C and D plans are not required to reimburse at the upper payment limit. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act and may pursue any available remedy under State law when enforcing the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.
Where it stands
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
May 22, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
No recorded vote is available for this bill yet.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
Bill history
Filed with Secretary by Sen. Robert Peters
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner
Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
Assigned to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4 Referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to Executive
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris III
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4 Assignments Refers to Executive
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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