My name is Loretta Boesing, and I am a mother on a mission—a mission to protect my child's life at any cost. When my son received a gift of life from a 3-year-old little girl our lives were forever changed. But amidst the chaos and despair, one thing became abundantly clear: I would move mountains to ensure he and others received the life-saving medications they needed safely.

Not long after my son received his gift of life, I would be introduced to the shadowy world of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that manage pharmacy benefits for insurance companies and force many to their own mail order pharmacy. The largest three are Optum RX, CVS Caremark, & Express Scripts. Their bureaucratic maze and profit-driven motives stand as barriers between patients like my son and the medications that could mean the difference between life and death. But I refuse to let them dictate their fate.

I embarked on a relentless crusade, researching tirelessly, advocating passionately, and speaking out loudly against the injustices perpetrated by these corporate giants. When faced with risks of delays and interruptions in treatment, I refused to stay silent, sharing my family's story with anyone who would listen, shining a spotlight on the horrors inflicted by PBMs.

But my fight didn't end there. I knew that even if we managed to navigate the labyrinth of PBMs, there were still dangers lurking—improper temperature storage, logistical nightmares, and the impersonal nature of the PBM system. PBMs also oversee reimbursements to local pharmacies and frequently reimburse them purposefully below their cost to the point that 30% of America's locally owned pharmacies are expected to close. So I made it my mission to champion local pharmacies, recognizing the invaluable role they play in providing personalized care and support to patients like my son and America's public health.

Through sheer determination and unwavering advocacy, I succeeded in securing safe access to the medications my son desperately needs. His suffering was spared for now, but that's not the case for so many others trapped by this monopolistic system. I want to see a future of pharmacy and medication access that will be filled with hope and promise. I refuse to back down in the face of injustice.

My story is a testament to the power of a mother's love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the impact that one person can have when they refuse to accept the status quo. And while my journey may have been fraught with challenges, it has also been filled with moments of triumph—reminders that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and real-life heroes that fight alongside us.

So let us stand together, united in our commitment to justice, demanding an end to the many abuses of PBMs and a future where access to healthcare, local pharmacies, & medications is a fundamental right. 

Thank you to every person standing with us in this fight—for my son, for every patient who has been failed by this broken system, and for a future where compassion triumphs over greed.

Learn About Our Protest Happening This Friday At Express Scripts Headquarters

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Thank you, 

Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate