PBMs in the Spotlight | Cedar Rapids News

Lawmakers Joni Ernst and Ashley Hinson are launching a bold push to expose the hidden power of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, accusing them of driving up costs and obscuring critical healthcare decisions. Their new bill would force insurers to disclose denial rates, approval times, and prior authorization requirements—empowering patients to compare plans and demand accountability. But behind the scenes, pharmacies like Joe Greenwood’s in Waterloo are already suffering, losing hundreds of thousands in reimbursements and forced into business decisions instead of patient care. Complicating matters, a state law aimed at helping independent pharmacies is stalled in court due to lawsuits, leaving providers trapped in unfair contracts. Despite legal hurdles, Hinson vows to keep pushing, seeing recent reforms as a starting point—and a warning to PBMs: they’re being watched. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/025480b15ab9719c