I started my advocacy 7 years ago, when my son was 8 years old.
Last week, in a hearing for the first time with my children, I told legislators, "I've watched my son grow up, I've watched the pharmacy benefit managers only grow stronger."
More and more people are being forced to use mail-order pharmacies owned by their insurance companies or their Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) — like OptumRx, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts.
Arkansas is leading the way with legislation that could become a national model. A new bill aims to stop PBMs from owning pharmacies within the state, forcing companies like OptumRx, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts to choose: either be a PBM or a pharmacy — but not both.
This is a critical step in eliminating the conflict of interest that allows PBMs to steer patients to their own pharmacies, overpay themselves while underpaying competitors, and engage in price gouging.
House Bill 1150 has now passed both the House and Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signing!
My final comments to legislators was, "This issue is not a partisan issue. This issue is a human one, and many patients are watching Arkansas in hopes that someone will finally lead the way to save the lives of patients like my son."
Thank you for your support,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate