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.

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

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, PharmD, and special guest Chris Deacon, JD, as they bring unparalleled insights into how regulatory enforcement, employer education, and data transparency are key battlegrounds in the critical fight for accountability.

Episode Guest: Chris Deacon, JD, owner, VerSan Consulting, former NJ Deputy Attorney General, and past Director, NJ state health plan

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

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 pricing disparities and their real-world consequences.
• The ongoing battle for PBM reform - and what could lie ahead.

We’re joined by Mark Boesen, J.D., PharmD, of Boesen & Snow Law, who brings his expertise in pharmaceutical law, policy, and advocacy to help us decode the political language. Together, we discuss who could benefit and who could be harmed - because when it comes down to it, prescription drug reform and PBM reform are 2 sides of the same coin.

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