[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6342331,"mediaKeyId","2255143-8287304388357cc6461d8f8976a2e839","parentId",2255143,"title","Committee Hears Two Bills to Require GLP‑1 Coverage for Public Plans; Fiscal and Clinical Concerns Raised","audioSeconds",1956,"startMs",293000,"endMs",2249000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255143-8287304388357cc6461d8f8976a2e839&start=293&end=2249","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255143-8287304388357cc6461d8f8976a2e839/thumbnail_293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342331/North-Dakota/Committee-Hears-Two-Bills-to-Require-GLP1-Coverage-for-Public-Plans-Fiscal-and-Clinical-Concerns-Raised","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342331-5d87eb611a567df1bde8f2ce335dc37d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226551&Signature=lL35UP1pYv-6Va49FECPt~PuX9Zs6LTbDJNkUgmgLDO8JWxSEqWG~OINNTUjz8zdqDH1Vhh9WjVY7OGV3k4S7Me3frveSNFdzqomzZLGtJuBkiGL3tlPXumcqC8NMGk9bhxKudIp8u6LWS0HeEoAaS5faWMldojFNOJtogsX4VVuNacov1jz8xOrsDOAKGw2-JUAIILpz~cH~d~wXPkXIe3WZuZovEov4k6Z9b1dLwUcrYBEMOJ6n9QvmcXxSORPhT3pqpKnOXu0hWO6JwjT98CZx76FJtaQAc5Nqv~EuDyVQZ3IYeRZBBRx3FYnrrZWimHsVMUXnT59aAVVM5PzeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Chairman Ruby reopened hearings on House Bill 1451 and House Bill 1452 during the House Human Services Committee on Feb. 15; both bills would require coverage of GLP‑1 class medications for chronic weight management under state public plans.

Lacey Anderson, representing Novo Nordisk, told the committee that HB 1451 would add GLP‑1 coverage to Medicaid expansion and HB 1452 would cover the same drugs for public employees through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plan for a two‑year period. \"14 51 is the coverage under Medicaid... This would try to help people initially before they get to that point where things are covered to then ease health care costs long term,\" Anderson said, describing the bills' intent to prevent severe obesity and related procedures.

Anderson described an amendment offered by Representative Nelson that raises the BMI threshold in the bills to the level for class‑2 obesity (BMI 35–39.9) and removes language requiring state coverage criteria to match any future FDA changes. \"The amendment... increases the BMI requirement to... level 2 obesity,\" she said.

Representatives and witnesses asked clinical and coverage questions. Representative Kiefer asked what a BMI \"equal to or greater than 35 kilograms per square meter\" means; Anderson replied it corresponds to a BMI of 35–39.9. On maintenance dosing, Anderson said treatment length and frequency would be “dependent on the physician's determination” and could vary greatly by patient.

From the insurance side, Dylan Wheeler of Sanford Health Plan opposed coverage mandates, saying they raise premiums and reduce plans' flexibility. \"We do oppose coverage mandates,\" Wheeler said, adding that GLP‑1 drugs are a \"volatile, costly, and highly utilized\" prescription category and that requiring coverage and prominent notification to members would increase costs. Wheeler cited a North Carolina example where a public plan began covering weight‑loss medications and later ceased coverage because of high cost and utilization.

Derek Holbein, chief operating and financial officer for PERS, testified in a neutral capacity on fiscal impacts for HB 1452. Using an illustrative drug cost of $2,425 per month, Holbein walked the committee through the PERS prescription benefit structure and how the plan's coinsurance and copay rules would translate into plan‑paid amounts. He said the current fiscal note estimates large costs and that PERS has approximately $55 million in reserves versus an unfunded estimate of roughly $72 million if the bill passed as written. \"If the bill were to pass as is and it's gonna cost $72,000,000... this will bankrupt the reserves that PERS has on hand,\" Holbein warned.

Committee members pressed about whether coverage would reduce future medical costs. Supporters said long‑term savings are a goal, but both Wheeler and Holbein said short‑term drug spending is likely to be high and any medical savings would accrue over many years. Holbein noted the actuary (Deloitte) had not analyzed the amendment and that revised fiscal notes would be produced if the committee adopted changes that narrow eligibility.

No votes were taken on HB 1451 or HB 1452 during the hearing; both hearings were closed for the day and the committee moved on to other bill work. Committee members requested revised fiscal analyses if amendments narrowing eligibility were adopted and flagged uncertainties about long‑term clinical benefits, patent timelines and advertising‑driven utilization.

The record includes written testimony submitted for the bills and multiple committee questions about maintenance dosing, FDA indications and the interaction with existing coverage for diabetes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Human Services Mon, Feb 10, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Chairman Ruby reopened hearings on House Bill 1451 and House Bill 1452 during the House Human Services Committee on Feb. 15; both bills would require coverage of GLP‑1 class medications for chronic weight management under state public plans.","taxTitle","Human Services, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28893,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342330,"House Human Services Committee advances several bills; loan fund and care programs amended and sent to appropriations",3906,2280000,6186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255143-8287304388357cc6461d8f8976a2e839&start=2280&end=6186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255143-8287304388357cc6461d8f8976a2e839/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","/articles/6342330/North-Dakota/House-Human-Services-Committee-advances-several-bills-loan-fund-and-care-programs-amended-and-sent-to-appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342330-372c1c0a3f77ba834b66913b47352101/orig.mp4?Expires=1771226551&Signature=efj~nqmH3HD2S5gSCWfihhCwBtsgniqNPMZFPhI70ORyA6GKI5XW2U38mD4dOzDLdP9NSdE0Kyt321pDNLnOQ8MwuhOfq3odzCLCokxF0g1XJTDnxq29o4NjoQ7sF26zOdmhQ4kt4VD8ZRsQViobaFk7kspw~kw~x-OA3chol7H2d1NSvVaay8Dhwkk1OfI0HUR188JXVLCmNypzexNAz6M11PWQIjQ0bhtl8GqclgeXj2D0k488mm5uE0qLJKjbTXd7zmi2qzeOz91Fn1RHUDCmRp6T0PNVmLMNAMHx4wG1MeCG-R1qv7kGaG~QhXRrElSqQahZaMoVWOUb8tG5yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Human Services Committee met Feb. 15 and conducted bill work after hearings, adopting amendments and recording votes on multiple bills tied to health, care facilities and program funding.

On House Bill 16‑19, the committee adopted an amendment to reduce the proposed loan sum to $50 million and increase the interest rate to 2 percent before voting to advance the bill. Representative Barr moved the amendment; Representative Rohrer seconded. The committee then voted to give HB 16‑19 a \"do pass\" recommendation as amended and re‑refer it to Appropriations; the clerk recorded the motion as carrying with a 12‑0 tally.

Members moved a \"do not pass\" recommendation on House Bill 15‑50 (the loan guarantee companion to HB 16‑19). Representative Rohrer moved the do‑not‑pass motion; it was seconded and the committee adopted the recommendation by voice and then roll call; the motion carried unanimously.

The committee also considered House Bill 16‑12 (a proposed North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine and related functions at UND). After discussing scope and funding, the committee approved a due pass as amended and re‑referred the bill to Appropriations; the roll call showed the motion passed 8‑3.

Members amended House Bill 10‑67 to add language directing the Department of Health and Human Services to disregard Social Security survivor income and court‑ordered child support for children under 18 enrolled in a Medicaid 1915(c) waiver. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later approved the bill as amended with an 11‑0 roll call.

On HB 14‑67 (reporting of federal vaccine adverse event data), the committee replaced proposed reporting requirements with a provision directing the department to display state‑specific federal VAERS data and instructions on the state website; that amendment passed 12‑0.

Finally, the committee amended House Bill 12‑68 (adult foster care adjustments) to address respite/substitute caregiver rules, monitoring devices and other operational provisions; the amendment was adopted and the committee voted to give HB 12‑68 a due pass as amended (vote recorded 10‑2).

Committee leadership said several additional bills will be scheduled for later in the day; members asked for updated fiscal notes on items with changed eligibility or cost estimates.","The committee amended and moved multiple bills to appropriations, sending HB 16‑19 (hospital revolving loan) as amended, rejecting HB 15‑50 (loan guarantee), and advancing several human services and health‑related bills with recorded roll‑call tallies.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee Hears Two Bills to Require GLP‑1 Coverage for Public Plans; Fiscal and Clinical Concerns Raised

House Human Services Committee advances several bills; loan fund and care programs amended and sent to appropriations