2024 ended with unstoppable momentum to end the abusive practices of forced mail-order pharmacies, and 2025 is full of hope!
It's not every day that billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Cuban agree on something as significant as the abuse of insurance owned pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The three largest PBMs—Optum RX, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts—have long been criticized for their monopolistic control over the pharmaceutical industry, their distortion of drug prices, and the forceful steering to their own pharmacies. Yesterday, both tweeted about their abuses.
In the same week, health care advocate Elisabeth Rosenthal joined the conversation, highlighting her struggles with being forced to use insurance-owned PBM pharmacies. She pointed out the blatant price gouging, noting that other pharmacies would save her money, but her insurance would only cover the PBM pharmacy. On a side note, Elisabeth was mentioned in a manifesto by a suspect involved in the recent incident with the United Healthcare CEO.
On the legislative front, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley, from opposite political spectrums, have teamed up to introduce the Patients Before Monopolies Act, a groundbreaking bill that would force insurance companies to separate their pharmacy operations. This is a monumental step forward.
Additionally, the Pharmacists Fight Back legislation, which I traveled to Washington D.C. to support, garnered tremendous bipartisan backing by the end of the year. This bill would give many the freedom to choose their pharmacy, a victory for consumers everywhere!
These forced mail-order pharmacy plans are not designed to reduce costs or improve benefits. No. They are engineered for pure monopolization and drug price distortion—nothing more.
It’s time for America to wake up and fight for local pharmacies and the right to choose where we get our prescriptions, as if our lives depend on. Many are waking up at a pace faster than ever.
Stay excited, encouraged, and full of hope! Let’s keep pushing this petition over the finish line in 2025!
A huge thank you to Change.org and to all of our supporters.
Happy New Year!
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate
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loretta@uniteforsafemedications.org