Congressman asks Speaker Johnson to vote on PBM before the end of the year
From the Office of Congressman Langworthy,
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) today called on House leadership to bring a full, comprehensive pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform package to the House floor for a suspension vote before Congress adjourns, warning that further delay will only deepen a growing crisis for patients and community pharmacies — especially in rural areas.
“This package was ready to go last Christmas, but it was stripped out at the last minute,” Langworthy said. “A full year has gone by, and the consequences of inaction are now impossible to ignore. We have to act — and we have to act now.”
Since Congress’ near-win on PBM reform in December 2024, pharmacies have closed at a net rate of more than six per day nationwide — over 2,200 in the past year alone. Since 2018, the United States has lost more than 13 percent of its pharmacies, hitting rural and underserved communities hardest.
“For rural communities like those across New York’s 23rd District, the loss of a pharmacy isn’t an inconvenience — it’s a healthcare emergency,” Langworthy said. “When a pharmacy closes, patients lose access, travel times increase, and costs go up.”
Langworthy stressed that transparency-only proposals are not enough to stop the PBM practices inflating drug prices, forcing pharmacies out of networks, and limiting patient choice.
“Transparency matters, but it won’t fix a broken system on its own,” he said. “We need comprehensive reform that actually reins in the middlemen.”
The Congressman urged leadership to advance a bipartisan, bicameral reform package reflecting the full set of provisions outlined in a recent pharmacy coalition letter to Congressional leaders, supported by patient advocates and pharmacy groups nationwide. Link to pharmacy coalition letter here: https://nacds.org/pdfs/12.12.2025-Pharmacy-Coalition-PBM-Reform-Letter.pdf
“These policies are ready. The consensus is broad. The work is done,” Langworthy said. “Before we leave Washington for the year, House leadership should put comprehensive PBM reform on the floor under suspension and let Members vote.”
