As Congress debates a new government funding bill, patients with chronic conditions are watching closely to see what healthcare-related improvements might be included. At the time of this writing, proposed legislation includes important improvements regarding transparency around pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and expanded telehealth access — policies that could improve access to care and affordability for millions.
These reforms didn’t emerge in a vacuum. They reflect the tireless efforts of advocates across the country, including hundreds of people that have shared their stories and advocated through the Chronic Disease Coalition (CDC).
Thank you.
By advocating for transparency and accountability for PBMs, the CDC has kept the spotlight on how these practices harm those managing chronic conditions. The proposed reforms aim to bring fairness to the system, helping patients access the medications they need with less financial hardship. Your stories have made it impossible for policymakers to ignore the urgency of reform.
And, as we all know, telehealth has revolutionized care for chronic disease patients — removing one of the biggest obstacles to treatment. However, without legislative action, many of the telehealth flexibilities introduced during the pandemic could disappear. The funding bill, as it stands,l proposes preserving and expanding telehealth services, ensuring patients can continue benefiting from these innovations.
Advocates from the CDC have been at the forefront on this issue, emphasizing how telehealth has become a lifeline for patients, especially in rural and underserved communities. Their efforts have kept this issue on legislators’ radar as a critical component of equitable healthcare.
While the proposed reforms are a step in the right direction, they’re far from guaranteed. Party politics threatens to water down this bill or scrap it altogether. Patients, caregivers, and allies must keep pushing to make these reforms a reality.
You can take quick action by emailing your legislators today in support of PBM reform, and telehealth access. These calls to action are not specific to the funding bill, but it will let your representatives know that you care deeply about these issues.
No matter how this latest policy fight shakes out, the CDC remains committed to ensuring that patients’ needs are prioritized in every healthcare decision. If you’re ready to join the fight in the new year, visit our website to learn how you can get involved. We’d love to have you on our team.