The governor's plan for a quick special session to deal with issues surrounding the state's pharmacy benefit managers has some Democrats concerned over how effective the solution will be, the party chairman said Tuesday.
On Monday, Hutchinson said he saw broad support for placing the managers under the regulatory authority of the state Insurance Department -- after independent pharmacies complained that the groups were squeezing them out by cutting reimbursements. The Republican governor said he planned to hold a special session to address legislation over that and another unrelated issue.
On Tuesday, state Rep. Michael John Gray of Augusta, who is also the Democratic Party chairman, said he was pleased with the governor's support for a fix, before adding that Democrats want to make sure the solution has "teeth."
"I think you have to really look at licensure," Gray said. "I think you honestly, though, have to look at what that licensure looks like, what behavior is required."
Gray said lawmakers were in "meeting after meeting" trying to draft legislation on the issue.
Two Republicans, state Rep. Michelle Gray of Melbourne and Sen. Ronald Caldwell of Wynne, have filed legislation to handle the matter during the fiscal session.
-- John Moritz
