SB 203/AB 173 was introduced this session by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R–Irma) and Rep. Todd Novak (R–Dodgeville) to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill is largely the same as last session’s proposal, with a new provision requiring PBMs to pay pharmacy claims within 30 days.

On August 18, Sen. Felzkowski offered an amendment removing the dispensing fee language in an effort to secure enough votes for passage. On August 21, the Senate Health Committee unanimously recommended the amended bill for passage, despite opposition from health insurance and employer groups that argue the legislation could increase costs and create new administrative burdens.

This proposal follows earlier attempts to expand PBM legislation beyond the comprehensive 2021 law, which was the result of negotiations among insurers, employers, pharmacists, and PBMs. A similar bill introduced last session by Sen. Felzkowski and then-Rep. Michael Schraa (R–Oshkosh) did not pass either house.