U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-GA, says he wants to ensure that those serving our country in the military and their families receive quality health care. Recently, Carter – alongside Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers, R-AL, – led these efforts by sending a letter to Defense Health Agency (DHA) Director Lieutenant General Ronald J. Place calling on the DHA to make sure the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, military retirees, and their families, who have lost access to their local pharmacist due to a “pocket-lining move” by Cigna/Express Scripts, receive quality health care.
According to Carter, the letter follows an “empty gesture” by Express Scripts of allowing pharmacists to re-join the network, despite maintaining the predatory terms of the first contract. Since the move was enacted on October 24, thousands of service members, military retirees, and their families have been struggling to access basic medications, particularly in rural areas, said Carter, who is a pharmacist by profession.
Carter and Rogers were joined by 47 of their congressional colleagues in signing this bipartisan, bicameral letter.
The letter states, “This decision will severely impact those who serve or have served our country honorably by reducing TRICARE patients’ access to quality health care at a time when many receive annual vaccinations.
“We continue to hear from pharmacists and patients expressing concerns about these changes. It is our responsibility to ensure that their access to affordable, quality health care is not hindered.”
The letter goes on to ask for a meeting or listening session with DHA. “To ensure DHA has greater visibility on the impact of this change, we write to request your attendance in a listening session with impacted stakeholders, Members, and staff on December 7, 2022. Due to the patient access and safety concerns, we look forward to your attendance and working with you to ensure TRICARE beneficiaries continue to receive the utmost quality care.”
