A Wisconsin hearing spotlighted Cole’s Act, a bill aiming to reform PBMs after a young man died due to unaffordable medication costs.

A Wisconsin public hearing intensified calls to pass Cole’s Act, a bipartisan bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), as the legislative session nears its end. Advocates, including the family of 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht, testified about the deadly consequences of sudden drug cost spikes after PBM coverage changes, with Cole dying from an asthma attack after being unable to afford a $500 inhaler. The bill would require PBMs to provide advance notice before altering drug tiers and protect patients and independent pharmacies. PBM opponents argue manufacturers, not PBMs, drive costs and claim the bill won’t lower prices. With time running out, passage seems unlikely, but advocates vow to keep pushing for reform. Meanwhile, Mississippi’s House passed a similar PBM reform bill to end financial "clawbacks" that harm small pharmacies, aiming to boost competition and access.