BATON ROUGE, LA – Leaders from across Louisiana today announced the launch of Louisianans for PBM Accountability, a Louisiana-first coalition working to lower prescription drug costs, protect local pharmacies, and support bipartisan reforms to hold powerful prescription drug middlemen accountable.
The coalition launches as HB 938, legislation designed to rein in abusive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices, cleared the House Insurance Committee without objection and passed the full Louisiana House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 87-9, with 17 House co-authors, including the Speaker.
“Louisianans shouldn’t pay a penny more than necessary for their medicines,” said State Representative Chris Turner. “Right now, powerful prescription drug middlemen are standing between Louisiana families and fair prices. We must restore transparency, protect local pharmacies, and make sure healthcare dollars are spent on patients – not corporate middlemen.”
Louisianans for PBM Accountability brings together patient advocates, pharmacists, healthcare providers, employers, faith groups, and community leaders committed to restoring fairness to Louisiana’s prescription drug marketplace.
“As long as the three largest PBMs continue to control 80% of the prescriptions filled in the United States, patients will remain at the mercy of these large corporations,” said Aaron Broadwell, MD, of Shreveport, President of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations. “It’s time to end this David and Goliath story by curbing the massive control these PBMs have over patients in Louisiana.”
“Louisiana Family Forum supports PBM accountability because it protects the vulnerable – the elderly and families who are too often exploited by powerful middlemen manipulating prices to create winners and losers,” said Gene Mills, President of the Louisiana Family Forum. “This effort should be a bipartisan no-brainer. Who could oppose fair pricing, stronger local pharmacies, and compassionate care within reach for every Louisiana resident?”
“Patients and providers see firsthand the consequences of a system where middlemen operate without sufficient oversight,” said Dr. Robert Levin, President of the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions. “Louisiana’s bipartisan approach sends a strong signal that reform is both necessary and achievable.”
Madelaine Feldman, MD, of New Orleans, Chair of Advocacy & Government Affairs for the Rheumatology Alliance of Louisiana, added, “PBMs have vertically integrated across the healthcare supply chain, driving up costs for patients, employers, and taxpayers. It’s time for Louisiana to put a stop to this flagrant manipulation of the healthcare system.”
“The National Infusion Center Association is proud to join Louisianans for PBM Accountability at a time when meaningful reform is urgently needed,” said Brian Nyquist, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of the National Infusion Center Association. “Current PBM practices create unnecessary barriers for patients seeking essential care and threaten the ability of infusion centers to provide life-changing treatments in their local communities.”
HB 938 represents a major step toward restoring accountability to Louisiana’s prescription drug system by increasing transparency, strengthening oversight, and protecting access to trusted local pharmacies. To learn more about this legislation, click here.