Healthcare Laws

Expands the definition of epinephrine to "epinephrine delivery systems" to include needle-free options (like nasal sprays) for use by schools and the general public in emergencies.

A wide-ranging healthcare bill that includes specific protections for children with severe allergies.

Allows practitioners and pharmacists to prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors to persons at risk of anaphylaxis or those in a position to assist them.

"COPD Support Act"

Creates a state-level support program and awareness initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease to improve screening and patient support.

Allows pharmacists to substitute a lower-cost epinephrine auto-injector for a prescribed brand-name device and permits pharmacists to dispense epinephrine without a prescription under certain conditions.

Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with authority to set upper payment limits on high-cost drugs, including epinephrine auto-injectors.

"COPD Awareness Month Act"

Designates November as "COPD Awareness Month" and encourages the Department for Public Health to promote awareness and screening for respiratory diseases.

Allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense epinephrine auto-injectors to individuals with a history of severe allergies and to authorized entities for emergency use.

Updates state law regarding the administration of epinephrine and other emergency medications by authorized entities and healthcare providers.

Authorizes the state health officer to establish a program for the distribution of epinephrine auto-injectors to designated entities and individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Authorizes eligible entities, including schools and camps, to obtain a prescription for and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency use.

Expands coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to include medically necessary food and associated equipment and supplies. Defines medically necessary food as specially formulated and processed products (e.g., nutritional formulas) prescribed by health care practitioners for individuals with special dietary requirements due to certain digestive or metabolic disorders or conditions.

On August 9, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved neffy (epinephrine nasal spray) as the first needle-free emergency treatment for Type I allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adults and children weighing 30 kg (66 lb.) or more. Unlike traditional epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPen, neffy is administered intranasally. A 1 mg pediatric dose for patients weighing 15 to less than 30 kg was approved on March 5, 2025.

Regulates the prescribing and dispensing of epinephrine auto-injectors by pharmacists in accordance with state law.

"STOP TICKS Act"

Reauthorizes and expands the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) and increases CDC grant funding for states and researchers combating vector-borne diseases including alpha-gal syndrome.