UtahUtah PEHP must offer non-opioid drug alternatives to employees
Starting in the 2027 plan year, PEHP must include non-opioid alternatives in the state employee drug plan and apply no stricter coverage rules to them than to opioid drugs.
What it does
Starting with the 2027 plan year, PEHP must include at least one clinically appropriate non-opioid prescription drug as an alternative for each opioid drug, within the stated funding and additional-funding requirements.
Starting with the 2027 plan year, PEHP must not make people pay more or meet stricter review requirements for a covered non-opioid drug than for a covered opioid drug.
Argument forState employees could face fewer coverage barriers to non-opioid pain medicines when PEHP offers alternatives and applies no stricter rules than it does for opioid drugs.
Argument againstEqual coverage rules could limit PEHP’s use of review steps for non-opioid drugs, and PEHP may need to request more money if costs exceed $150,000.
More detail
PEHP must include at least one clinically appropriate non-opioid prescription drug as an alternative for each opioid prescription drug. This applies to the state employee health plan administered by PEHP. PEHP must carry out the resolution within an appropriation of $150,000 and request an additional appropriation if compliance costs more. The direction begins with the 2027 plan year.
PEHP must not place stricter cost-sharing or review requirements on a covered non-opioid prescription drug than on a covered opioid prescription drug. This applies to covered prescription drugs in the state employee health plan. The comparison applies to drugs covered by the PEHP plan. The direction begins with the 2027 plan year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 5Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 5Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 5Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 4House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 4House/ passed 3rd readingPassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 4House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 4House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 4House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mar 2House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]
- Mar 2House/ committee report favorable [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 28House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 26House/ to standing committee [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 26House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 25House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ to House
- Feb 23Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 20Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20Senate/ floor amendment
- Feb 20Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 4Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 4Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Major
- Feb 3Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 3Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 26Senate Comm - Not Considered [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]
- Jan 23Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SCR005
- Jan 21LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SCR005
- Jan 21Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 19Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 19LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SCR005
- Jan 19LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SCR005
- Jan 19Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 19Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Healthcare