Greenville Reporter

North Carolina State Representative Gregory F. Murphy has expressed concerns over the control exerted by the insurance industry on patient health through what he describes as "abusive" practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). In a post dated February 12 on X, Murphy called for the breakup of UnitedHealth.

"Enough is enough," said Rep. Gregory F. Murphy. "The Insurance Industry's derelict control of a patient's health via their abusive PBM practices need to demolished. UnitedHealth needs to be broken up."

According to a report by WITN, a 22-year-old named Cole Schmidtknecht died following an asthma attack after the cost of his inhaler rose from $65 to over $500. His parents have filed a lawsuit against OptumRx and Walgreens, alleging that Schmidtknecht skipped doses due to the unaffordable price increase and passed away five days later. The lawsuit claims that OptumRx did not inform Schmidtknecht about the price hike, and Walgreens failed to offer a cheaper alternative or discount. OptumRx has responded by stating that the claims are factually inaccurate, while Walgreens has refrained from commenting due to ongoing litigation.

Rep. Greg Murphy's post | X

Murphy said in a press release, "At the center of these challenges are the middlemen in our health care industry who steer patients to their own vertically consolidated entities, siphon money from our independent pharmacies, and completely obscure the flow of the health care dollar in America." He emphasized his firsthand experience with these issues as "the only practicing physician in Congress."

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act was introduced on April 27, 2023. As detailed by Congress.gov, this legislation mandates PBMs to disclose essential information regarding prescription drugs and costs to health plans, including rebates and fees received from manufacturers. It also bans spread pricing—where PBMs charge higher prices than what pharmacies pay—and requires PBMs to pass all rebates back to plan sponsors with civil penalties for non-compliance.

Murphy is currently serving his third term representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District. He participates in several committees such as the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Additionally, he co-chairs the House GOP Doctors Caucus. Murphy holds degrees from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine and is recognized as Congress's only practicing surgeon according to House.gov.