Tricks, Treats, and Everything in Between: PUTT’s 2024 Halloween Update!
Better than red wax lips but probably not as cool as The Great Pumpkin, we’re delighted to present a round up of this month’s tricks and treats for your Halloween reading pleasure:
H.R. 9096 Adds its 36th Bi-partisan Cosponsor
The pharmacists are indeed fighting back as H.R. 9096 the “Pharmacists Fight Back Act” added Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum last week to the official roster. Word on the street is H.R. 9096 is one of the most-talked about bills as Congress prepares for the post-election lame duck session, and we’re aiming to keep the pressure on by adding co-sponsors from the Midwest and western states (see HR 9096 map). Executive Board member Brandi Chane compiled a list of Congressional delegates who’ve signed on to PBM reform bills in the past but so far haven’t signed on to H.R. 9096. Need help or advice for reaching your representative? Contact us here — we’re happy to help!
“I Support H.R. 9096” Tote Bags and “9096 or Die!” Pins are this Year’s Must-Have Accessory at NCPA’s Annual Meeting
PUTT teamed up with American Pharmacies Cooperative Inc. (APCI) and several other partners at NCPA’s Convention in Columbus with the aim of creating a bright orange sea of support for the bill and gathering additional co-sponsors. Jeremy Counts and Monique Whitney co-hosted a livecast of “PBM on the Rocks”, discussing the unique challenges and victories of advocating for better laws that keep pharmacies open and protect patient access with special guests drawn to the PUTT booth to check out the action.
American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) Recommends Practical Solutions for Easing U.S. Healthcare Crisis Including Pass H.R. 9096 in Latest White Paper
“Congress should pass the Pharmacists Fight Back Act by U.S. Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-KY), which would safeguard independent pharmacies from PBMs’ use of such contracts, during the lame-duck session.” And believe it or not, that’s not even the best part of AELP’s 16-page, quick-read bullet point recommendations for reversing higher costs and diminishing access because of consolidation and market concentration.
Modern Medical Mafia is in Production — and You Can Play a Role!
By now you’ve probably seen the exciting sizzle reel for Modern Medical Mafia, produced by our good friends Dan Strause and his talented filmmaker daughter, Mary. Did you know you can play a role by: be one of the 10,000 associate producers helping spread the word to friends and family when the film is released (it will cost you a hug or a handshake); review the Modern Medical Mafia pitch deck, and click here to donate if you like what you see;
ICYMI: Mississippi Board of Pharmacy Audits Optum 2022 Claims for Statutory Compliance, What They Discovered Will Shock You! (or not)
Among the select audit findings in the Board’s news release: 401 of the 3,144 claims submitted to Optum were denied on the basis of “the MAC price being accurate” which may be in conflict with state law (fun fact: Optum denied 98% of the 3,144 claims for other reasons); there were 75,462 instances in which non-PBM affiliated pharmacies were paid less than the lowest affiliated pharmacy payment; and on average independent pharmacies were paid 74% less than average MAC reimbursement rate for chain pharmacies. We’re so surprised!
Happy Halloween!
