The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) Monthly Washington Update for the end of February 2026
The high cost of prescription drugs is an issue that many seniors struggle with. Fixing that problem has been high on TSCL’s list of priorities for a long time.
That’s why we were pleased when prescription drugs took the spotlight in February with the introduction of “TrumpRx” and the implementation of a new law to reform the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that many claim fail to pass along lower prices to consumers and cause the prices of drugs to be far above what they otherwise should be.
How does TrumpRx work, and will it actually benefit consumers? Will the new law to regulate PBMs really help lower drug prices? And what role do the drug makers play in keeping drug prices so high? We’ll address those issues, and more, below.
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What is TrumpRx?
TrumpRx.gov is an online platform that allows consumers to search for discounted prices on brand-name medications when paying out of pocket. It is designed to help uninsured Americans find lower-cost options for high-priced prescriptions, including treatments for fertility, obesity, and diabetes.
The site does not sell drugs directly. Instead, users can browse discounted medications, select one, and either receive a coupon accepted at certain pharmacies or be directed to a drug manufacturer’s website to complete the purchase.
Economists note that the platform offers limited new savings compared with existing drug discount programs. However, for the uninsured or those seeking medications often not covered by insurance, such as fertility or weight-loss drugs, it may be a useful option.
Early analyses suggest that many of the discounted medications listed were already available through other online databases. For example, Pfizer’s Duavee menopause treatment is listed at $30.30 on TrumpRx but is also available at the same price through other discount programs, such as GoodRx. Similarly, the weight management drug Wegovy starts at $199 on TrumpRx, a rate previously offered through NovoCare Pharmacy. The platform currently lists a modest selection of only 43 drugs.
Whether the site will make a significant difference for most users depends on factors such as the range of available medications, the cost of a specific drug, state pharmacy policies, the user’s insurance coverage, and whether a less expensive generic is available. Patients may need to compare options carefully, as some discounted brand-name drugs could cost more out-of-pocket than using insurance or purchasing generics.
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New Law Seeks to Reform the Practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
A PBM is a third-party administrator that acts as a “middleman” in the prescription drug supply chain, negotiating between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurance companies. They manage drug benefits for employers and insurers, purportedly to lower drug costs.
The “Big 3” PBMs are OptumRx (UnitedHealth Group), CVS Caremark (CVS Health), and Express Scripts (Cigna), which control roughly 80% of U.S. prescription claims and dominate the market by managing drug benefits, negotiating rebates, and processing claims for millions of Americans.
In recent years, these companies have faced scrutiny from regulators such as the Federal Trade Commission for potentially inflating drug costs through practices like high markups on specialty drugs and prioritizing affiliated pharmacies, despite the availability of alternatives that could actually lower drug prices.
At the same time, the pharmaceutical companies were also being blamed for high drug prices. As a result, there is a war between the drug manufacturers and the PBMs, and both sides have spent millions of dollars trying to influence Congress.
Based on the latest developments through early 2026, the “war” between Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Drug Companies (Big Pharma) is largely a stalemate or, more accurately, a jointly managed market where both have thrived, while the regulatory environment is shifting to favor greater oversight of PBMs.
In early February, Congress passed a bill that the President signed into law, seeking to crack down on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that don’t benefit patients.
The legislation included a myriad of PBM reforms that, according to its supporters, increase transparency and protect American patients and businesses from being ripped off by questionable drug pricing and rebate manipulation.
It also safeguards independent pharmacies and seniors’ access to medications by codifying requirements that Medicare Part D plan sponsors contract with any willing pharmacy—not just the pharmacy owned by their insurance conglomerate.
TSCL is pleased that Congress passed this legislation. At the same time, we don’t believe PBMs are the only reason for the high cost of drugs, and we will continue to urge Congress to investigate the role the big drug manufacturers play in the high cost of drugs.
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Dental Healthcare for Seniors on Medicaid Threatened
Seniors who get dental insurance coverage through their employers are often surprised when they move onto Medicare and learn that it does not provide routine dental care. That means that unless they can afford private dental insurance, they either foot the bill for dental care themselves, or they stop seeing the dentist except in the most urgent of circumstances. Unfortunately, stopping visits to the dentist is often the choice.
But not seeing a dentist anymore has consequences broader than tooth pain. Poor dental health can contribute to a host of other significant health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. It can also make it harder to simply lead a healthy life.
For those seniors without the means to afford Medicare, Medicaid is their only option for health care coverage. And, interestingly, Medicaid does provide limited dental coverage for those enrolled in it.
While the dental services covered vary by state, all states but one currently offer some adult dental coverage through the Medicaid program. However, these services are far from guaranteed, as proposed federal budget cuts now threaten to weaken or eliminate them. More than 36 million people nationwide are currently enrolled in Medicaid.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, championed by President Trump last year, the federal government is expected to reduce Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion over the next decade. The expected 10-year losses for individual states range from about $184 million for Wyoming to about $150 billion for California.
State Medicaid programs typically expand or reduce benefits depending on their finances, and such massive federal cuts could force some to shrink or eliminate what they offer, including dental benefits.
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Social Security Insolvency Moves Closer
In a 1-hour and 48-minute speech last Tuesday that set a record for the State of the Union address, President Donald Trump failed to mention Social Security or its looming insolvency.
That’s very unfortunate, because only a few days earlier, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its latest projection of the looming insolvency of Social Security.
The CBO now projects that Social Security’s trust fund will be insolvent in 2032. This is a full year sooner than previously predicted.
According to current law, Social Security cannot pay out more in benefits than the program has in revenues and trust fund balances. In 2032, the Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance trust fund will run dry, triggering an automatic 28% benefit cut.
That reduction exceeds the 2025 projections, in which CBO estimated a 24% cut and the Social Security Trustees estimated a 23% cut.
Without any reforms, approximately 72 million recipients of Social Security’s old age and survivors’ benefits will be subject to a 28% benefit cut beginning in 2032.
TSCL has long warned that Congress cannot afford to keep putting off dealing with this looming crisis, and we will continue to urge Congress to act this year to pass the legislation needed to protect both Social Security and Medicare.
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For seniors, the stakes have never been higher. From skyrocketing prescription drug prices to threats to dental care and the looming insolvency of Social Security, the challenges are real and immediate. TSCL remains committed to advocating for policies that protect seniors, ensure access to affordable healthcare, and safeguard Social Security benefits. We will continue to monitor developments, push for meaningful reforms, and provide seniors with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions and protect their hard-earned benefits.