Louisiana
CVS tells customers it will be forced to close its doors in Louisiana because of HB 358, lawmakers call bluff
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On June 11, many CVS customers woke up to a text from the pharmacy chain that said it would have to close its locations in Louisiana because of HB 358, which passed both the House and Senate. That bill would force CVS Health to stop operating CVS Caremark, alongside other pharmacies that own Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Louisiana.
“If you choose to be a PBM, you can still be a PBM but you cannot be a PBM and a pharmacy,” Rep. Dustin Miller proclaimed on the House floor. His bill would do just that, separating what he says is a conflict of interest in the pharmaceutical industry.
A PBM is essentially a middleman between pharmacies, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers that works to set drug prices. PBMs make their profits by spread pricing, or through the difference between what they bill insurance companies and the rebate to the pharmacy.
Oftentimes, these PBMs are owned by the pharmacies that they work with, even though they work across the industry. Lawmakers allege this drives business away from independent pharmacies and strangles small business.
“They set the rates and the reimbursement for the pharmacies; we are just telling them if that is your core responsibility, you can keep that as your core responsibility,” Miller said. “We don’t want you to also go open a pharmacy and steer people to you and compete against other pharmacies.”
Many House lawmakers took to the floor to call out CVS for what they said are scare tactics. The text and emails claimed sent by CVS claimed lawmakers were trying to get CVS to shut down its businesses.
“No, we’re not you liars,” Baton Rouge Republican Rep. Dixon McMakin said. “Quit being liars, quit using scare tactics.”
But Rep. Edmond Jordan said everyone needs to take a chill pill.
“Independent pharmacies aren’t going to close tomorrow, in fact, they are doing better than they have in several years,” Jordan said. “If CVS decides to leave, hopefully, we have people there to make up that difference.”
House Bill 358 now heads to the governor’s desk for final signature. Governor Landry has said online that he supports the new regulations.
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A private organization entrusted with money intended to protect Louisiana from the cost of abandoned oil and gas wells used funds to make below-market loans benefiting a senior state regulator, his re…
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NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A driver died from a gunshot wound after a Louisiana State Police car chase in New Orleans Saturday evening (June 20), but troopers say they did not fire the gun.
Troop NOLA confirmed the car chase ended near Franklin Avenue and North Miro Street Saturday. Troopers said they found the driver shot and brought them to the hospital, where that person died.
The driver’s identity has not been released.
A Troop NOLA spokesperson said he could not confirm if anyone else was in the car, if anyone has been arrested, or if troopers found a gun.
A spokesperson said more details will be released as a state police force investigation continues.
Troop NOLA is a special investigation unit tasked with proactive policing, traffic enforcement and crime reduction.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.
“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”
Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”
Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.
You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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