To the editor:

In recent years, more than 20% of Kansas pharmacies have closed their doors. The primary driver of these closures has been the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which have forced pharmacies to dispense prescriptions at extremely low profit margins — and often at a loss. The Legislature passed a PBM reform bill last session, and the Kansas Insurance Commissioner is now responsible for ensuring that its provisions are fully enforced.

Daniel Hawkins, Republican, and Dinah Sykes, Democrat, are candidates for this office. Many Kansans are not fully aware of the responsibilities of the Insurance Commissioner and may vote strictly along party lines, which gives Mr. Hawkins a natural advantage in a predominantly Republican state.

However, voters should be aware of several important facts. Mr. Hawkins works in the insurance industry. As Kansas House Majority Leader, he prevented the PBM reform bill from being brought forward for three years. During that time, pharmacies across Kansas continued to struggle under PBM practices, and some ultimately closed. Many pharmacists fear that if Mr. Hawkins is elected, he may work to weaken enforcement of the new PBM law, placing additional pharmacies at risk. If you live in a rural community with a pharmacy, you are blessed. Ask your pharmacist about PBMs, and you will hear firsthand how these practices have affected their ability to remain viable.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to consider voting for Dinah Sykes, Kansas Senate Minority Leader, for Insurance Commissioner. She has no conflict of interest in this matter. Mrs. Sykes has served in the Kansas Legislature for many years, focusing on consumer protection, health care access, and regulatory oversight. Her record reflects a commitment to ensuring that Kansans receive fair treatment from the systems that govern their health care.

The stakes are high for Kansas pharmacists and the communities they serve. If enforcement of the PBM reform law is weakened, more pharmacies may be forced to close — leaving residents without convenient access to essential medications and professional guidance. The future of pharmacy access in Kansas will be shaped by the outcome of this election.

Vote Dinah Sykes for Kansas Insurance Commissioner.

Terry W. Kepka, Retired Pharmacist

Ellsworth