For the Media

“This is a lifeline for independently owned pharmacies, which are mostly located in rural communities and low-income areas. It will allow them to keep their businesses open until we can better understand how pharmacy benefit managers can create a more transparent policy and practice for all pharmacies.” — Natalie Crawford, PhD

“Patient trust will be critical in determining who engages with these systems and how effectively. Trust also depends on how well these tools are designed to address real-world concerns, whether there is clear disclosure that AI is being used, and whether there is meaningful human oversight, including reliable escalation to a real person when needed.” — Ilana Graetz, PhD

"More general reasons premiums are increasing include: new and expensive drugs, general inflation, and shifts in the insurance market—mergers and acquisitions that limit competition—which is also happening with hospitals/provider groups. Another issue is lack of transparency of what hospitals or, indeed, providers prices are. As consumers we aren’t aware of these until it is too late. Of course, the changes to subsidies on the marketplace will raise those premiums due, in part, to those healthier and younger leaving that market. The general factors raising costs affect those insurance companies in that market as well." — Kathleen Adams, PhD