Letter to the editor: Pharmacy benefit restrictions will hamper Pittsburgh’s economic development

Four years since the onset of covid-19, the aftershocks of the pandemic continue to ripple across Pittsburgh. Commercial office vacancies and falling city tax revenues present fresh challenges that we must work collaboratively to overcome.

Despite these hurdles, downtown Pittsburgh is making strides to recover. Over the last couple years, dozens of new businesses have opened their doors downtown. And downtown is once again a desirable destination.

Just when we can least afford another setback, some lawmakers are advocating for legislation that could impose crippling new costs on small businesses and workers.

The state Legislature is considering two bills, SB 1000 and HB 1993, which take aim at pharmacy benefits. These benefits help patients access affordable medications and allow small businesses and unions to offer affordable prescription drug coverage plans to their workers.

If passed, SB 1000 and HB 1993 would undermine the health and well-being of working families and cost companies more money that could otherwise be invested in strengthening their businesses.

Without the significant cost savings that pharmacy benefits provide, employers would have fewer resources to reinvest in their business and workforce — investments that promote economic growth throughout the city.

If enacted, SB 1000 and HB 1993 would curb small business growth and suppress economic development. I strongly encourage legislators to reject these bills as introduced and focus on proposals that will actually lower health care costs for Pennsylvania job- creators and patients.

John Valentine

Downtown

The writer is executive director of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance in Pittsburgh.