To the editor:

As a longtime Eagle Grove resident, I have been shocked to read the recent coverage of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their harmful impact on communities of all sizes across the state.

It has been widely reported that 29 Iowa pharmacies closed in 2024. These pharmacies were in both rural and urban communities, showing that no community is immune from the predatory practices of PBMs.

My daughter is an adult with Down Syndrome and has severe psoriatic arthritis. She is a Medicaid patient and needs to have Humira injections every two weeks, which leads to an exorbitant yearly cost. Unfortunately, I found out my local pharmacy was losing $370 per injection. I know there are countless untold stories just like ours across the state.

With local pharmacies taking financial losses to ensure their patients continue to receive basic access to health care, I am not at all surprised we’ve seen so many close their doors. I worry that this trend will continue unless there is serious PBM reform at the Iowa legislature this spring. I encourage our legislators to take bold action and pass PBM reform now.

Cyndy Schmanke

Eagle Grove