BILL #    HB 2489	TITLE: public health emergencies; essential medicines
SPONSOR:    Hernandez A.	STATUS: As Introduced
PREPARED BY:    Maggie Rocker

Description

The bill would require the Department of Health Services (DHS) to model and establish a statewide strategic essential buffer stock to be dispensed in the event of public health emergencies, such as natural disasters and mass casualty events. The department would be required to coordinate with other state entities, including the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) and the Department of Education (ADE).

Estimated Impact

We estimate that the bill could generate a significant, but indeterminate state fiscal impact. While the actual cost will be dependent on implementation by the agency, we expect DHS costs would include medication acquisition, storage, coordination with other state entities, monitoring of the inventory, and replacement of any expired medication.   

DHS has not yet responded to our request for the fiscal impact. 

Analysis

The federal government maintains a Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that stocks medicines and other medical supplies for distribution to state and territories in the event of a public health emergency. State and local governments are not required to maintain strategic state stockpiles, though some states have either proposed or enacted emergency preparedness legislation related to stockpiling medications, medical supplies, or a combination of the two. Based on our research, we did not find estimates of the cost of these state-level efforts.

The bill would require DHS to coordinate with DEMA, ADE, and other specified entities, to create a statewide strategic essential buffer stock to be dispensed during public health emergencies. "Essential buffer stock" would refer to essential emergency and chronic disease management medicine, vaccines, and medical supplies. The bill permits DHS to contract with private entities to procure supplies and manage distribution of those supplies. DHS, in collaboration with other stakeholders, would be required to conduct demand planning and modeling for emergency readiness supplies, including recommendations for types of emergency supplies and recommended quantities.

Local Government Impact

None

2/17/25