State of the States December 12, 2025

National: The US Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) have introduced the bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Price Transparency and Accountability Act. The bill aims to curb practices that drive up drug costs by separating PBM compensation from rebates, banning spread pricing in Medicaid, requiring full pass-through of discounts to pharmacies, and strengthening protections for independent pharmacies. PBM Accountablilty Project Director claimed this bill “lower costs, increase transparency and restore accountability across the prescription drug supply chain.”  

International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) opened registration for its 2026 forum that will take place April 202-22 in Greenville, South Carolina. 

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released its Q4 2025 Quarterly Economics Briefing, analyzing recent economic data, its impact on the outlook, and implications for workers’ compensation. The report notes that government shutdowns are not uncommon and historically have had only limited, temporary effects on the economy and minimal influence on workers’ compensation. Despite the 2025 shutdown being the longest in U.S. history and contributing to economic uncertainty, NCCI sees no indication that its impact will differ from previous shutdowns. 

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host its 2026 Annual WCRI Issues & Research Conference at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston, MA on March 3-4. Registration is now open and if interested, you can find the agenda here.  

Healthesystems released its Winter 2025–2026 issue of its semi-annual RxInformer Journal, focusing on claims complexity in workers’ compensation. The issue explores mega claims, occupational cancer, degenerative comorbid conditions, and long COVID, offering insights into how these factors impact claim costs and management strategies.  

Florida: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia proposed legislation that would remove undocumented immigrants from protections under the state’s Workers’ Compensation law. Employers would be required to use EVerify and cover the cost of injuries for undocumented workers. The package also includes English-only requirements for commercial driver’s licenses and restrictions on using certain IDs for financial services and licensing. Ingoglia said he will work with state leaders to advance these measures in the upcoming legislative session.

Maryland: Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones stepped down after announcing her retirement from the legislature, ending her historic tenure as the first Black and first female Speaker in state history. The open seat race initially featured several Democratic delegates: Joseline PeñaMelnyk, Ben Barnes, C.T. Wilson, and Jheanelle Wilkins. By early December, Barnes, Wilson, and Wilkins withdrew and endorsed PeñaMelnyk, making her the presumptive next Speaker ahead of the formal vote on December 16.

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