January 23, 2026
On behalf of AMAC Action, the advocacy affiliate of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), with over 2 million members nationwide, we strongly support passage of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 by the US House of Representatives. PBMs were originally designed to negotiate lower drug prices, yet over time, these middlemen have prioritized profit over patients, leading to higher prescription drug costs and reduced competition. AMAC Action has been vocal in highlighting how PBMs engage in practices that are not in the best interest of seniors or independent pharmacies throughout the country.
Well-hidden practices by PBM’s within the Medicare Part D program have driven up prescription drug costs for many seniors while limiting accountability. The reforms included in this bill will help to restore transparency, fairness, and fiscal responsibility to a program millions of older Americans rely on every day.
By requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce reasonable and relevant Medicare Part D contract terms and by establishing a clear appeals process for pharmacies, Congress is bringing important oversight to a system that has operated in the shadows for too long. Providing CMS with enforcement authority and implementation funding ensures these protections are real and enforceable.
The bill’s transparency provisions will allow CMS to better track pharmacy payment trends and network inclusion, ensuring that seniors can maintain access to essential community pharmacies, especially in rural and underserved areas. Prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers’ compensation from being tied to a drug’s list price, often referred to as “delinking”, is an additional common-sense reform that will result in lower drug costs. This change will help reduce prescription drug spending, protect Medicare beneficiaries, and deliver long-overdue savings to many AMAC members across the country.
AMAC Action commends the House of Representatives for advancing reforms that put patients first and we strongly urge the Senate to include PBM reform language within any appropriations package that moves forward.
Andrew J. Mangione Jr.
Senior Vice President
AMAC Action
