Latest news with #SaraHuckabeeSanders
Reuters
7 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Express Scripts sues to block Arkansas law barring PBM ownership of pharmacies
CHICAGO, May 29 (Reuters) - Express Scripts and several of its affiliated pharmacies filed a lawsuit on Thursday asking an Arkansas federal judge to overturn a state law set to go into effect next year that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, says the law puts an unconstitutional restriction on interstate commerce by burdening out-of-state companies like Express Scripts, which is based in St. Louis. Express, one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers, seeks a declaration that the law is unconstitutional and an order barring its enforcement. Sam Dubke, a spokesperson for Arkansas Governor Sara Huckabee Sanders, who signed the law in April, said in a statement, "these big drug middlemen are only attacking Arkansas in the courts because they're worried other states will join Governor Sanders in fighting for patient access and affordable prescriptions." The lawsuit names the members of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, which regulates the state's pharmacies. In a statement, Express Scripts, which is a unit of the Cigna Group (CI.N), opens new tab, said the law will likely force it to close some retail pharmacies and bar it from mailing prescriptions to thousands of Arkansas residents through its mail-order pharmacy business. 'While Arkansas politicians claim this law was designed to lower drug prices and increase access to medications, it will do just the opposite,' said Andrea Nelson, Cigna's chief legal officer. Pharmacy benefit managers serve as intermediaries, negotiating prescription drug prices with drugmakers on behalf of employers and health plans. They also often manage pharmacy networks and operate mail-order pharmacies. Arkansas' law, which is set to go into effect in January, bars PBMs from receiving permits to dispense prescription medication and revokes PBMs' existing permits, according to the legislation. The law is meant to cut down on anticompetitive behavior by the PBMs, which set the prices for the drugs they dispense through their pharmacies, according to the governor's office. Their business practices have drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years from U.S. lawmakers looking to lower drug prices, and from the Federal Trade Commission, which accused the three largest PBMs of driving up the cost of insulin drugs.
USA Today
03-04-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Tornado emergency in Arkansas as storms batter the South, Midwest; 1 reported dead
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency, the highest warning possible, as a "large and destructive tornado' hit Lake City, Arkansas, and surrounding areas in the northeastern part of the state. Arkansas Gov. Sara Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency Wednesday and posted on X that she has received reports of tornado and storm damage. Videos shared on social media shared on social media shows a massive tornado tearing across the land. The tornado emergency issued by the weather service, which covered an area near the Arkansas-Missouri border, ended at 7:45 p.m. local time but Accuweather reporter Leslie Hudson told the weather outlet that the danger did not abate with nightfall. "The sun is setting here, so now this turns into a much more dangerous situation, trying to track the severe weather as the daylight goes away," Hudson said. CNN meteorologists said Wednesday night that the storm had a "hook echo," a meteorological pattern that suggests the presence of a strong storm Arkansas tornado hits as storm hits broad swath Dozens of tornado watches and warnings remain in effect Wednesday night from northeastern Texas to Ohio, including Indianapolis, as a major storm is hitting the Lower Ohio Valley and Mid-South. The weather service said Wednesday that the storm would bring a "barrage of life-threatening weather hazards including flash flooding and strong tornadoes" to the regions. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a 5/5 risk of severe weather for the region. A tornado caused the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, to shelter in place at 8:18 p.m. local time Wednesday, while KFVS-TV, a Missouri-based CBS affiliate, broadcast as a tornado passed over the station. "That was a little bit intense folks," meteorologist Grant Dade said on the broadcast. "I've never witnessed a wedge tornado come right into the station." The station reported that at least one person has died due to the storm, citing Sgt. Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who said there was "devastation everywhere" between the towns of Advance and Delta. Check back with USA TODAY for more storm coverage.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado emergency in Arkansas as storms batter the South, Midwest; 1 reported dead
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency, the highest warning possible, as a "large and destructive tornado' hit Lake City, Arkansas, and surrounding areas in the northeastern part of the state. Arkansas Gov. Sara Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency Wednesday and posted on X that she has received reports of tornado and storm damage. Videos shared on social media shared on social media shows a massive tornado tearing across the land. There is no way this tornado is not a mid level EF-4 or possibly higher tornado. Again, damage reports will tell us for sure, but behavior wise this is as violent as it gets folks. #Tornado Lake City, Arkansas — Mr ashen (@TheOfficialMrA1) April 3, 2025 The tornado emergency issued by the weather service, which covered an area near the Arkansas-Missouri border, ended at 7:45 p.m. local time but Accuweather reporter Leslie Hudson told the weather outlet that the danger did not abate with nightfall. "The sun is setting here, so now this turns into a much more dangerous situation, trying to track the severe weather as the daylight goes away," Hudson said. CNN meteorologists said Wednesday night that the storm had a "hook echo," a meteorological pattern that suggests the presence of a strong storm Dozens of tornado watches and warnings remain in effect Wednesday night from northeastern Texas to Ohio, including Indianapolis, as a major storm is hitting the Lower Ohio Valley and Mid-South. The weather service said Wednesday that the storm would bring a "barrage of life-threatening weather hazards including flash flooding and strong tornadoes" to the regions. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a 5/5 risk of severe weather for the region. 8:18 PM - Multiple tornado warnings in effect, we are about to shelter in place here at the office!!! — NWS Paducah, KY (@NWSPaducah) April 3, 2025 A tornado caused the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, to shelter in place at 8:18 p.m. local time Wednesday, while KFVS-TV, a Missouri-based CBS affiliate, broadcast as a tornado passed over the station. "That was a little bit intense folks," meteorologist Grant Dade said on the broadcast. "I've never witnessed a wedge tornado come right into the station." The station reported that at least one person has died due to the storm, citing Sgt. Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who said there was "devastation everywhere" between the towns of Advance and Delta. Check back with USA TODAY for more storm coverage. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arkansas hit with tornado emergency as storm batters heartland
