Dear editor,
As a professional caregiver at FirstLight Home Care, I know how important it is for seniors and medically vulnerable patients to be able to access the prescription medications, therapies, and treatments they need. Unfortunately, that access is being eroded by the arcane, profit-driven polices of insurers and their Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)—and lawmakers in Congress seem unable, or unwilling, to address the issue.
PBMs focus on boosting profits by restricting and delaying access to critical care for patients—if not denying it altogether. These groups will even go so far as to withhold vital prescription drug rebates from patients rather than passing those savings down to allow patients to reduce their burdensome out-of-pocket expenses.
Over the years, I’ve cared for dozens of patients struggling with diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, including my aunt, who has been living with the latter for over a decade now. It isn’t right or fair that PBMs should be able to restrict and undermine their access to care or force them to pay more for the medications they need just to continue raking in the profits.
It’s time for lawmakers to hold PBMs more accountable for the harmful practices they use to control access to prescription drugs while forcing costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Congress must pass PBM reform this year to help protect and keep drug prices low for seniors and patients here in California and across the country.
Lynette Graham
