Hawley and Warren Introduce “Break Up Big Medicine Act” To Force Separation of Insurers, PBMs and Providers

Summary

Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren introduced the Break Up Big Medicine Act, a "Glass‑Steagall"‑style bill that would prohibit common ownership of health‑care providers with insurers, PBMs, or drug/medical device wholesalers, forcing divestiture within a year. The legislation targets vertically integrated giants like UnitedHealth, CVS Health, Cigna, and Elevance, whose combined ownership lets them manipulate medical loss ratios and inflate profits at the expense of patients. By separating these entities, the bill aims to curb self‑dealing, lower drug and service costs, and restore competition in the U.S. health‑care market. Hawley and Warren’s bipartisan effort underscores a shared view that breaking up these conglomerates is essential for affordable, transparent health care.