Ryan Spaude, Wisconsin State Representative for 89th District | LinkedIn
Ryan Spaude, Wisconsin State Representative for 89th District | LinkedIn
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill is an expansive health care cost reform measure, aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for residents of Wisconsin. It abolishes cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program and sets a $35 monthly cap on insulin costs for health insurance policies. The bill sets fiduciary and disclosure rules for pharmacy benefit managers, and prohibits discriminatory reimbursement rates against certain 340B program entities. It facilitates the creation of a drug repository program with allowances for out-of-state collaboration and establishes a value-based diabetes medication pilot project. Pharmacists can earn continuing education credits through volunteer work, and a prescription drug importation program from Canada is initiated, with guidelines to ensure safety and savings. The bill also outlines a grant program to help health care providers develop pharmacy benefit tools. Furthermore, pharmaceutical representatives and pharmacy services administrative organizations must be licensed. The bill proposes establishing insulin safety net programs to aid uninsured or limited insurance policy residents, while creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to monitor drug prices and establish upper payment limits for drugs deemed unaffordable. Finally, the bill provides funding for these initiatives by appropriating $500,000 in the 2026–27 fiscal year and establishes 16 full-time positions for an Office of Prescription Drug Affordability to oversee the board and associated activities.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), and Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), along 47 other co-sponsors.
Ryan Spaude has co-authored another five bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Spaude graduated from Princeton University in 2016 and again in 2022 from University of Wisconsin Law School with a JD.
Spaude, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 89th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Elijah Behnke.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB62 | 02/24/2025 | Health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
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