Senator Josh Hawley took on the drug industry’s middlemen in a fiery Senate hearing. He exposed how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are ripping off everyday Americans. These shadowy companies control drug prices while lining their own pockets. Hardworking families pay the price.
Hawley didn’t hold back. He called out PBM bosses for making billions while patients struggle. “Americans pay 422% more for drugs than other countries,” he said. When the PCMA president tried to spin, Hawley shut him down. “Either you’re the worst negotiators ever, or this whole system is rigged.”
The numbers don’t lie. Three big PBMs control 80% of the market. They’ve closed pharmacies across Missouri, leaving whole counties without. Last year alone, 73 local pharmacies shut down. Meanwhile, PBMs pocketed over $7 billion in profits. It’s highway robbery against sick Americans.
Rural communities get hit hardest. Two Missouri counties have zero pharmacies left. Seniors drive hours for lifesaving meds. “Missourians are getting screwed while you get rich,” Hawley declared. He’s fighting to bust up this corrupt monopoly.
Hawley’s new bill would break the stranglehold of PBMs and Big Pharma. These greedy middlemen work with insurance companies to fix prices. His plan stops them from squeezing local pharmacies dry. It’s time to put patients over profits.
President Trump backs Hawley’s push. Last week, Trump signed an order targeting drug price gouging. Together, they’re draining the swamp of corporate cronies. The Washington elite hate it—which means it’s working.
The PCMA CEO tried to claim they lower costs. Hawley laughed that off. “If this is success, we’re all in trouble.” Real leaders don’t make excuses for failure. They fix broken systems hurting real people.
Enough is enough. Congress must pass Hawley’s bill NOW. No more letting coastal elites rob heartland families. It’s time to put America first—starting with affordable medicines for every patriot.
