The Joint Committee on Financial Services of the Massachusetts Legislature convened on June 10, 2025, to discuss critical reforms aimed at addressing the challenges posed by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the healthcare system. The meeting featured testimonies from patients and advocates who highlighted the significant barriers that PBMs create for individuals seeking necessary medications.

One patient, who has lived with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for over 20 years, shared her struggles with PBMs, detailing how delays and denials have led to severe pain and irreversible joint damage. She emphasized that PBMs, which control a substantial portion of prescription medications, often prioritize profits over patient care. The patient urged lawmakers to support several proposed bills designed to reform PBM practices, including a requirement for PBMs to pass at least 80% of rebates to patients and to establish a duty of care that prioritizes patient needs.

Paul Madden, a diabetes educator and advocate, also spoke at the meeting, sharing his personal experience with Type 1 Diabetes. He stressed the importance of access to affordable medications and urged support for House Bill 1234 and Senate Bill 724, which aim to improve health outcomes and reduce costs by reforming PBM practices. Madden pointed out that the current system incentivizes PBMs to favor high-rebate drugs over more affordable alternatives, exacerbating the financial burden on patients.

The committee members listened attentively to the testimonies, acknowledging the pressing need for reform in the PBM industry. The discussions underscored the broader implications of PBM practices on public health, particularly as the number of individuals living with chronic diseases continues to rise in Massachusetts.

As the meeting concluded, the committee expressed gratitude to the speakers for sharing their experiences and emphasized the importance of addressing the issues raised. The proposed reforms could potentially reshape the landscape of healthcare in Massachusetts, prioritizing patient access and affordability in the face of growing challenges posed by PBMs.