CVS threatens to close 134 stores if bill passes, changing the way drugs are managed in the state

Описание: A major pharmaceutical provider is pushing back against legislation moving through the Tennessee State Legislature that could significantly change how prescription drugs are managed in the state.

The proposal, SB2040, focuses on companies known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. These companies negotiate drug prices and manage prescription benefits for insurance providers, playing a major role in determining how much patients pay for medications and which prescriptions are covered.

If the bill passes, companies would not be allowed to both operate a pharmacy and run a PBM at the same time. The rule would directly impact CVS, which owns both retail pharmacies and its PBM, CVS Caremark.

Supporters of the bill say the goal is to eliminate potential conflicts of interest in the prescription drug market by separating those roles.

“It requires a fair and transparent pharmacy system, and conflicts of interest can arise when pharmacy managers, covered entities and pharmacies are under common ownership,” said Senator Rusty Crowe Harshbarger during a legislative hearing.
However, the proposal has drawn opposition from some healthcare workers and CVS representatives.

During discussion in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, a nurse practitioner urged lawmakers to reject the bill, warning it could have unintended consequences.

“I respectfully ask you to vote no because this will cause me to lose my job, but I am worried about my patients and how they will suffer from this,” she said.
CVS has also launched a campaign against the legislation, including sending text messages to customers urging them to oppose the bill. In recent advertisements, the company warned that the proposal could force the closure of 134 pharmacies across Tennessee.

CVS argues that the closures could limit access to care for many patients who rely on those locations for prescriptions and health services.

The debate also follows findings from a 2024 audit by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. The audit reported that CVS Caremark used a practice known as “spread pricing,” where certain health plans are charged more for a medication than what pharmacies are actually paid to dispense it.

Supporters of the bill argue the legislation would address those types of practices before additional violations occur.

Rep. Aftyn Behn posted a video on X on Monday in support of the bill, calling it an anti-trust bill and not to "believe CVS."

Lawmakers are expected to continue debating the proposal when it goes before the House Insurance Committee on March 10.

https://fox17.com/news/local/cvs-thre...

_______________
Follow! Like! Share! Subscribe!

WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville  
WZTV on X:   / foxnashville  

https://fox17.com

Email us: [email protected]
Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717

Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow.

#WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville #nashville #tennessee #tn #middletn #localnews #breakingnews #trending