Legislation & Regulation

In February 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Break Up Big Medicine Act (S. 3822). The bipartisan legislation, referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, aims to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), health insurers, and prescription drug or medical device wholesalers from being under common ownership with certain medical service providers or provider groups, including in-patient or outpatient pharmacies.

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) supports reforming the 340B Drug Pricing Program. While the program is intended to serve as an essential safety net that allows eligible healthcare entities to stretch federal resources and improve pharmaceutical access for vulnerable populations, stronger oversight, transparency, and accountability mechanisms are necessary to ensure it operates as Congress intended and delivers maximum benefit to patients and communities.

For decades, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have served as your trusted providers of vaccine care. New vaccine recommendations may seem confusing, but your pharmacist is ready to help. Pharmacists are trained health care providers who can explain which vaccines are recommended for you based on your age and other health needs. Pharmacists use their clinical training and the latest scientific information to guide you and your family. Pharmacists can give vaccines to both children and adults. Some states have rules that limit which vaccines and at what ages.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the House appropriators unveiled a three-part minibus spending package for Fiscal Year 2026. The package covers appropriations for the Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security. In addition to appropriations funding, the proposal includes several policy changes such as long-term extensions of expiring Medicare telehealth flexibilities and community health center funding, health care program reauthorizations, and significant pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform proposals extending to both Medicare and commercial plans.

AMCP’s Policy Outlook 2026 provides a forward-looking analysis of the political, legislative, and regulatory developments poised to shape managed care pharmacy in the year ahead, from the 2026 midterm elections and government funding deadlines to major policy debates around PBM reform, Medicare drug price negotiation, GLP-1 coverage, direct-to-consumer drug models, and the 340B program. Designed to help managed care professionals anticipate change and plan strategically, the report breaks down what to expect from Congress, federal agencies, and the administration—and what it all means for patient access, costs, and pharmacy operations. Download the full Policy Outlook 2026 to explore the key issues, timelines, and implications that will define the policy environment in the coming year.