Oklahoma Commissioner Mulready testifies about PBMs to Congress

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready testified to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee May 17, 2023, giving representatives a window into his state’s experience in what he called anti-competitive behavior among certain insurance businesses.

The Ways and Means Committee heard testimony about factors that make health care in the U.S. unaffordable. Mulready testified about his lengthy dispute with a prominent pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) over coverage of 90-day prescriptions.

“I appreciate the opportunity to share our story with members of Congress,” Mulready said in a DOI news release. “I am hopeful that our successful efforts to defend legal challenges, hold PBMs accountable with administrative actions, and work with our legislature to make key policy changes will be a roadmap for others.”

Mulready also announced the state now has a plan in place for the PBM in question to provide 90-day prescriptions and mail order options for 80 percent of its plans by July. Previously, Mulready was seeking to terminate the PBM’s license because of what the business said were internal tech restrictions on filling 90-day prescriptions.