Tennessee

Jilly_in_VA

(14,487 posts) Wed Apr 22, 2026, 01:30 PM 15 hrs ago

CVS vows federal court challenge after TN General Assembly passes bill that could close 100+ stores

The Senate and House both passed a bill that could shut down over 100 CVS stores and impact where patients get their prescriptions.

The bill passed the Senate on Monday with 24 Ayes and nine Noes, and in the House on Tuesday with 86 Ayes and seven Noes.

Senate Bill 2040 focuses on pharmacy benefit managers — also known as PBMs — who are the middlemen between the pharmacy, the drug manufacturer and the insurance company. The proposed bill says companies can’t be both the pharmacy benefit manager and the pharmacy, as it has created conflicts of interest that can restrict patient choice, increase costs and jeopardize continuity of care.

Once passed, CVS said the only way they can comply with the law is to cease pharmacy operations, which would include the 134 CVS Pharmacy locations and two CVS Specialty locations, which would impact more than 2,000 CVS colleagues who live and work in Tennessee.

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/tn-senate-passes-bill-that-could-close-100-cvs-stores/51-dc18aa6f-05a7-4d09-b540-49ff0d8925e4

On the face of it, it sounds like a good idea. Someone please explain to me what's wrong with it other than CVS having a tantrum.

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

CVS vows federal court challenge after TN General Assembly passes bill that could close 100+ stores (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA 15 hrs ago OP

Well, I'm not in TN but it sounds like this bill might severely impact where customers can get their meds... wcmagumba 15 hrs ago #1

Serving two sides is definitely anticompetitive bucolic_frolic 14 hrs ago #2

CVS also owns the insurance company AETNA unc70 14 hrs ago #3

Why doesn't CVS contract with an independent company to fulfill their PBM functions . . . Journeyman 13 hrs ago #4

wcmagumba

(6,428 posts)

1. Well, I'm not in TN but it sounds like this bill might severely impact where customers can get their meds...

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 01:42 PM

15 hrs ago

Those with limited transportation options would be affected and might not be able to get their needed meds...That seems like a problem from my viewpoint...

bucolic_frolic

(55,463 posts)

2. Serving two sides is definitely anticompetitive

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 01:47 PM

14 hrs ago

unc70

(6,503 posts)

3. CVS also owns the insurance company AETNA

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 02:17 PM

14 hrs ago

I live in NC but spend a lot of time in TN and deal with medical and pharmacy issues in each state. I use Kroger/Harris Teeter as my primary drug store with CVS as the secondary. Everything has worked well over the past decade.

No idea what/who is promoting this change, but I really distrust the TN legislature. I will ask around, see who profits.

Journeyman

(15,469 posts)

4. Why doesn't CVS contract with an independent company to fulfill their PBM functions . . .

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 02:48 PM

13 hrs ago

As the State legislature has created this impasse, perhaps the State can help alleviate it by establishing a state designated office of PBM. I'm sure there'll be issues they'd need to iron out, but nothing insurmountable I'm sure.

Reply to this discussion