(October 1, 2024, SACRAMENTO, CA) – California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) President and CEO Liz Helms today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of SB 966 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco):

“The California Chronic Care Coalition, as one of the co-sponsors of Senator Wiener’s measure to ensure transparency of pharmacy benefit managers and their activities, is disappointed in but not deterred by Governor Newsom’s veto of SB 966. The legislature did its job, there was robust discussion in four policy committees. The bill went through several iterations with the input of experts in healthcare. This critical measure passed overwhelmingly out of the California State Legislature with more than 100 ‘yes’ votes compared to just two ‘no’ votes, but it also garnered significant support from community pharmacies, patient advocates, provider associations, business leaders, health care experts, and community-based organizations. If signed, SB 966 would have improved patient lives and enabled community pharmacies to continue providing critical services.

This fight is far from over. The scathing report from the Federal Trade Commission, which found that pharmacy benefit managers inflate drug costs and squeeze pharmacies and patients for their own gain, proved that now more than ever, patients need protection from these bad actors. We don’t need additional studies or analyses to determine that this industry lacks oversight of any kind. Without transparency, patients will continue to experience reduced access to the medications they need, and community pharmacies throughout the state will continue to close at record rates.

On behalf of the Californians we serve who live with chronic and rare diseases, we are grateful to Senator Wiener for his commitment and attempt to hold pharmacy middlemen accountable for their anti-patient and anti-pharmacy practices.

California is a leader in passing patient-centered policy measures; however, over the last several years, critical efforts broadly supported by the Legislature have been blocked by Governor Newsom. We remain committed to putting patients first – predatory middlemen have no place in health care.”

WTAS-966 Veto-V2

About California Chronic Care Coalition The California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) is a unique alliance of more than 30 leading consumer health organizations and provider groups that promote the collaborative work of policy makers, industry leaders, providers, and consumers to improve the health of Californians with chronic conditions. You can find us @CAChronicCare, californiachroniccare.org, and info@chroniccareca.org.