Better regulation of pharmacy benefit managers needed

Published 1:30 am Sunday, June 2, 2024

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) companies use practices that limit choices and increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers. I have been working with patients in our community and in Washington state for close to 25 years, now. Simply put: medicines cost too much and medical patients’ needs, and hardships, seem to always be put last.

The state of Washington passed a bill regulating PBMs, and U.S. Rep, Rick Larsen and Congress had the opportunity to regulate them to help us. It’s disheartening that lawmakers have once again failed to act in the best interest of workers and families in our state.

I will add, Sen. Maria Cantwell has worked on this issue before and helped move the ball. I trust that she and the state congressional delegation will elevate this and patient issues as a top priority this year.

Dan Telford

Everett