Kendra Gipson, Director, Vendor Services & Contracts for the State of Tennessee, speaks with Ryan Olmstead to discuss key healthcare reforms in Tennessee, particularly around pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and prescription drug policies.
These potential changes have significant implications for the state’s healthcare purchasing strategy, especially as Tennessee navigates the growing financial burden of healthcare costs. Kendra provides a detailed look into the bills and how they could impact the healthcare benefits available to state employees
Key Highlights:
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bills: Kendra explains how two crucial bills—one affecting the use of 340B entities and another limiting alternative funding programs for prescription drugs—could impact Tennessee’s ability to manage drug costs effectively and pass savings back to plan members.
Impact on State Healthcare Purchases: She discusses how the state’s pharmacy and healthcare contracts are evolving in response to these legislative changes, including the challenges of ensuring that both costs and care quality are balanced for the state’s diverse employee base.
Rising Costs of Anti-Obesity Medications: Kendra shares how the state is managing the increasing financial impact of anti-obesity medications, a class of drugs that has been placing additional pressure on the state’s health plans since 2017.
Addressing Provider Access: With a high rate of hospital closures, particularly in rural areas, Kendra emphasizes the importance of finding solutions that enhance access to quality providers for all state members, while considering cost-effective strategies like travel benefits and steerage programs.
This conversation offers valuable insight into how state-level purchasers are grappling with evolving healthcare policies and the steps they’re taking to protect both their budgets and the healthcare needs of their employees.