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Editor, News-Register:
As the caregiver to my husband, the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on our family. Struggling with symptoms of long COVID, my husband has faced a series of medical issues over the past few years, with his most recent being a rapid decline in his health arising from heart problems brought on by his original infection with the virus. The vaccine was no picnic for him, either.
It doesn't help matters that, on top of all the medical bills we face, there are also high out-of-pocket expenses for the prescription drugs my husband now relies on. These costs can add up quickly and make it harder for us to access the prescriptions he needs to maintain his quality of life.
Congress should address this issue, which not only impacts my husband, but millions of at-risk patients nationwide. Passing the DRUG Act would be a good starting point. This bipartisan bill would reform the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Mangers (PBMs) that lead to higher out-of-pocket costs on prescription drugs.
These PBMs use policies like prior authorization and patient "steering" to cut costs and boost profits at the pharmacies they own or work with. In the process, patients get longer delays and reduced access for the treatments they need. Heck, PBMs will even pocket the savings that should be passed down to patients to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Congress should put PBMs in their place by passing the DRUG Act as soon as possible.
Joyce Burton
Glen Dale