“So much of being a senior citizen is focusing so much time and worry over finances. This is a step in the right direction, especially as we approach the 58th anniversary of Medicare/Medicaid, and we look forward to continuing to work together on improving affordability in health care for everyone," said Laura Waddell, Health Care Program Director. Legislation like Senator Menendez’ Patients Before Middlemen Act, aims to address some of the prescription drug affordability burdens in the lives of our seniors by establishing new Part D requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers. "More than 5 million Medicare Beneficiaries struggle to afford their prescription medications and in New Jersey, 1 in 4 adults report not filling a prescription, cutting a dose in half, or skipping a dose to make their medication last longer. We hope that through their diligent efforts there is positive change on the horizon for providing affordable medicine for all individuals most affected and most in need,” said Gabriela Bernat and Vanessa Rodriguez, co-owners of Sugarman’s Drug Store. “Here at Sugarman’s Pharmacy we are pleased and honored to join Senator Menendez and Mayor and State Senator Stack to help bring awareness to this extremely important issue that many people have struggled with. My bill would simplify and reform the current system, delinking PBM compensation from drug prices in order to drive down costs for seniors on Medicare.” “I’ve introduced legislation, the Patients Before Middlemen Act, that would curb some of the biggest abuses that PBMs engage in. “In their role as middlemen, PBMs have a vise grip on our drug supply chain, creating warped incentives that jack up costs for patients at the pharmacy counter,” said Sen. Senate Finance Committee will be marking up tomorrow. The bill is the central piece of a PBM reform legislative package the U.S. Menendez and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), alongside Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Finance Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced this bill in June. The Senator highlighted how his bill will help address the perverse incentives PBMs rely on, which drive up the cost of prescription drugs. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined with Sugarman’s Drug Store Owners, New Jersey Citizen Action Network Health Care Program Director, Laura Waddell, and Medicare beneficiary, Doreen Monks, today to highlight the impact his Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act will have on the lives of patients, particularly seniors on Medicare D.
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