The PUTTcast

Illinois has scored a monumental win for patients and pharmacies with the passage of HB 1697. This episode dives into the legislation’s groundbreaking PBM reform and unravels how, through bipartisan effort, it amplifies transparency, protects patients and pharmacies by securing fairer practices, and puts the needs of Illinois communities first. 

Join PUTTcast host Lauren Young and PUTT President Deborah Keaveny, with special guests Senator David Koehler, Representative Natalie Manley, IPhA Executive Director Garth Reynolds, and IPhA President David Bagot, as they explore the impacts of this victory and what it signals in the fight for healthcare justice.

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Fiduciary responsibility in the healthcare industry is a pressing issue, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are under increasing scrutiny. In this episode of The PUTTcast, we discuss how PBMs and their big insurance counterparts are using ERISA as a shield to avoid fiduciary accountability to employers. From the groundbreaking Rutledge SCOTUS decision to whistleblower revelations, we examine how the "fiduciary" concept is transforming the world of PBM reform and the transparency needed to make it happen. 

This episode is a wake-up call for employers and policymakers alike. 

Join PUTTcast host Lauren Young, co-host Chris Hobart, Ph...

Breaking Down the Current Politics of Federal Prescription Drug Reform

Tired of legalese and political jargon surrounding federal prescription drug reform? This episode dives deep into President Trump’s recent healthcare reform Executive Order and what it really means for patients and their pharmacies. We’ll untangle topics like:

The truth behind IRA drug price negotiations and how they could impact pharmacies and ultimately, patient access.  Why Medicare and Long Term Care pricing continues to be a battleground. How prescription drug rebates under current Safe Harbor laws create more problems than solutions.  The shocking facts behind drug pric...

How Independent Pharmacies Can Amplify Their Voice

At its core, PBM reform is not just a critical pharmacy issue - it’s a patient care issue. Join us for this insightful episode as we explore how independent pharmacies can use psychology, AI, and community-building strategies to craft testimony, fight misleading PBM narratives, and create a united voice for reform. 

Special Guest: Ken Patel, RPh, co-founder Arizona Independent Pharmacy Coalition

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Arkansas is fighting back against the abusive, anticompetitive practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). This episode dives into the systemic lawbreaking by PBMs and their exploitation of current laws - which comes at the expense of taxpayers, pharmacies, and Arkansas communities. This isn’t just about corporate greed—it’s about the lives of Arkansas families, patients, and healthcare providers. HB 1150 represents a critical effort to hold PBMs accountable and protect access to care for communities across the state.

Special Guests:

AR State Representative Jeremiah MooreAR State Senator Kim HammerAR State Representative Brandon AchorArkansas Pharmacists Association CEO Jo...

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have long held disproportionate control over pharmacy reimbursement systems. But is change finally on the horizon? 

In this episode, we sit down with Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger to dissect the pressing issues surrounding PBM practices and discuss why now is the time to act. From federal legislation already in the works to the decisive importance of the first 100 days of 2025, Congresswoman Harshbarger walks us through her goals for actionable, enforceable PBM reform.

Special Guest: Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Don’t miss this insightful episode on why H.R. 9096 (The Pharmacists FIght Back Act) is essential for all communities. On the heels of last week’s successful press conference, PUTTcast host Lauren Young continues the conversation on why this legislation is a game-changer for pharmacies, small businesses, and patients, and provides practical advice on advocacy techniques that can help tip the balance in favor of this crucial legislation.

If you find this episode valuable, please share it with your network and consider reaching out to your federal legislators to express your support for H.R. 9096: The Phar...

Welcome to our new short-form version of The PUTTcast!

In our first episode, host Lauren Young dives into the intricacies of House Bill 9096, also known as the Pharmacists Fight Back Act. Joining her are distinguished guests—Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Greg Reybold, Vice President of Healthcare Policy & General Counsel at the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. (APCI), and Monique Whitney, PUTT Executive Director. Together, they unravel the essentials of this pivotal PBM reform bill and its implications on drug prices, patient access, the viability of independent pharmacies, and enforcement measures.

Guests:

Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA): A...