The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating CVS Health over reports of the company using confidential patient information to lobby against a bill under consideration by the Louisiana legislature.
Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins, R-La., sent a Sept. 4 letter to CVS Health President and CEO David Joyner outlining their concerns. They address a “mass text message” campaign sent to Louisiana customers regarding that state’s House Bill 358, which would prevent CVS Health from operating both CVS Caremark, CVS’ pharmacy benefit manager, and its pharmacies in the state. CVS Caremark manages prescription drug plans across the state and contracts with the Office of Group Benefits, the insurance provider for Louisiana state employees.
“The inflammatory and misleading text messages — which included threats of pharmacy location closures, increased prescription costs and loss of service providers — sought to encourage CVS Pharmacy customers to contact Louisiana lawmakers to oppose the bill,” the letter said. “It appears CVS Health’s use of protected patient information for the purposes of political advocacy may represent a violation of HIPAA.”
The representatives requested documents concerning patient data use, beyond just in Louisiana.
“We have received the letter and will respond to Chairman Comer. Our communication with CVS customers, patients and members of the community was consistent with the law,” said a CVS Health spokesperson. “We look forward to working productively with policymakers to continue to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible, and to promote the value of community pharmacy.”
