[{"_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",6326925,"mediaKeyId","2323595-703e3ba55c616848dc05512638ff7cce","parentId",2323595,"title","Committee amends medical-product notice bill; state health counsel warns broad language would hamper emergency powers","audioSeconds",1137,"startMs",477000,"endMs",1614000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323595-703e3ba55c616848dc05512638ff7cce&start=477&end=1614","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323595-703e3ba55c616848dc05512638ff7cce/thumbnail_477000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326925/North-Carolina/Committee-amends-medical-product-notice-bill-state-health-counsel-warns-broad-language-would-hamper-emergency-powers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326925-d5805bbef159e5faa1ceab019a42237c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203393&Signature=cc0EHE4uDzGV3ZFFOalt3cq1wtlCH5BMLUgzz-3DCtCTZnpIfsLjeqlioxzZYbB66k5rha1DoBB~uD886w2TXs4IjZ00Mv27vnwCzNysdBfx0Hw4u11oUhDm0gpyqYplMssjB7ydVvX2G6flY18HuV1jOHsLqb9kJsEzOgr6imS4LXlJ-lQ8ZU5pG2RX4sBgnSrPldmkd47N2o6-Tj5R5RlCkC4kpfcov~UEgaz3sOTc8Uf7mgMCJTKvLadYUBQetDetZGEDM5Rvy4koyYFJ1t0yFCPTyNbcpYvuKXBfJ0cWwFXbwui5ja4t~jG0ySYeqd81ljQlcjCDXNwRyG75aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Carolina State Legislature","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Koppelman moved and the committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 1454 that would bar state agencies, political subdivisions and other government entities from requiring an individual to take, receive or disclose whether the individual has taken or received a “medical product” unless the individual has first been notified and afforded an opportunity to decline and failed to do so.

The amendment, offered by Representative Koppelman and seconded by Representative Schatz, was approved by voice vote and produced an “amended bill,” after which the committee called Allison Hicks from the Attorney General’s Office for a legal opinion on the revised language.

Allison Hicks, general counsel to the Public Health Division of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee the department “does still have a lot of concerns about this bill.” She said the amendment’s combination of a broad definition of “medical product” and language that applies to state agencies and political subdivisions raises conflicts with established public-health and correctional authorities. Hicks said the bill’s language could be read to prevent emergency medical services from providing treatment to an unconscious person, to restrict law enforcement or corrections staff from administering naloxone (Narcan), and to interfere with court-ordered medical treatment in custody settings.

Hicks also noted the amendment retains a prohibition on disclosure of whether an individual has received vaccines or other medical products, which she said could impede routine workplace protections — for example, preventing health officials or employers from learning whether a worker has an immunization after a needle stick exposure. She warned the amendment could “hamper the ability of the department to address a public health emergency,” citing scenarios such as active tuberculosis where quarantine or treatment may be enforced by court order.

Representatives on the committee asked whether inserting explicit exceptions — for example, “unless court ordered” — or removing the disclosure prohibition would address the department’s concerns. Hicks said she would need to consult with her client (the public health division) and could work with counsel on tailored language, but reiterated that current law already contains many of the protections sought and that the proposed amendment, as drafted, may be preemptive and overly broad.

After the legal discussion, the committee agreed to “hold that over,” leaving the amended bill pending while staff and counsel review possible revisions and the department pulls relevant legislative history and summaries of prior pandemic orders for the committee.

Ending: The committee adopted Representative Koppelman’s amendment but took no final vote on House Bill 1454. Members requested additional legal review of exceptions (including court orders and emergency public-health powers) before further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Industry, Business and Labor - Feb 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Koppelman moved and the committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 1454 that would bar government entities from requiring an individual to take, receive or disclose medical products unless the individual had been notified and failed to opt out.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature North Carolina, North Carolina","taxId",77692,"location","North Carolina","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},6326920,"Committee advances copay-assistance bill after amendment; sponsors say change protects patients at pharmacy counter",1455,1649000,3104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323595-703e3ba55c616848dc05512638ff7cce&start=1649&end=3104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323595-703e3ba55c616848dc05512638ff7cce/thumbnail_1649000.jpg","/articles/6326920/North-Carolina/Committee-advances-copay-assistance-bill-after-amendment-sponsors-say-change-protects-patients-at-pharmacy-counter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326920-3d1b2af38e473fab38191f908887c44b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203393&Signature=ifdS~nSElNmn22T8-bFYdzridCJzn-8Jf8fnm9~GNFmUSr2NsrCMV~ev5zNfHd93YRxRuueO-oSWo9pxtAqzJ7lxEB4vMEZC~T8uDyVli9DdJWDyMak7cUF4cU1qFs9LwYsaBIlO0~JH4EiX5Q-7ohhBGl2Xv86YSrsB~mWbRkqb5MjHcVycxrYvEXuNrEFTszo6bB7ZDLE9wBYJHuVTy-PJgP~IQEsU7guXmL0AgmwhG8yHim3oDmd2QCwzO4364JlcBwxsbHIl48xeRbm0EiB0QTHaqKqF~Gk2Pufn3m9gzy4BWJlru2peXhkvU3~8UlAK6RPilKUdldmKcFpxDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Koppelman described a further amendment to House Bill 1216 intended to preserve patients’ use of third-party cost-sharing assistance while preventing insurers from counting those third-party payments toward deductibles or maximum out-of-pocket calculations.

Koppelman said the amendment would insert clarifying language so contributions made by a cost-sharing assistance program are “not calculated as part of the enrollee’s deductible or maximum out of pocket” while still allowing the assistance to reduce the amount a patient pays at the pharmacy counter. He also proposed that enrollees notify the health plan of any cost-sharing assistance used to reduce co-payments.

Representative Carls, identified as the bill sponsor, said the amendment “pretty much negates the bill” because his original proposal would have required insurers to count third-party payments toward deductibles. Carls told the committee patients “navigate years of misdiagnosis” and face high cost-sharing for specialty and rare drugs; he said 19 states have banned copay accumulator practices and argued North Dakota should do the same.

Committee members debated practical implications, including whether manufacturers and foundations permit ongoing assistance throughout the plan year or concentrate payments early in the year to meet deductibles. Representative Casper said the amendment was a compromise that would allow immediate at-the-counter assistance without shifting deductible costs onto other members, and Representative Shower moved a “do pass” on the bill as further amended. Representative Casper seconded the motion.

The committee held a roll-call vote on the motion to recommend House Bill 1216 as further amended. The roll call recorded a majority in favor and one dissenting vote (Representative Ruby). The committee also discussed related PBM (pharmacy benefit manager) transparency and future bills targeting PBM practices; members said additional PBM legislation remains under consideration.

Ending: The committee recommended House Bill 1216 “do pass” as further amended and identified Representative Koppelman as the likely floor carrier. Members said PBM and drug-manufacturer oversight bills remain on the committee’s future calendar.","The committee amended House Bill 1216 to prevent insurers from counting third-party cost-sharing assistance toward a patient’s deductible or maximum out-of-pocket while still allowing copay-assistance to reduce the patient’s at-the-counter cost. After further amendment the committee voted to recommend a \"do pass\" on the bill as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee amends medical-product notice bill; state health counsel warns broad language would hamper emergency powers

Committee advances copay-assistance bill after amendment; sponsors say change protects patients at pharmacy counter