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‘Big Three’ PBMs to Face House Oversight Accountability as Hawaii Court Delivers Legal Victory

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‘Big Three’ PBMs to Face House Oversight Accountability as Hawaii Court Delivers Legal Victory


The three biggest pharmacy benefit managers will come before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to explain their role in the increasing medication prices in the U.S., according to an announcement on Tuesday by committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.).

The hearing, set for July 23, will include Adam Kautzner, president of Evernorth Care Management and Express Scripts, David Joyner, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Caremark, and Patrick Conway, CEO of OptumRx. According to Comer’s announcement, the session will probe how these pharmacy middlemen reinforce anticompetitive practices in the industry, in turn increasing prescription drug prices and compromising patient care.

Comer added in the statement that lawmakers across the aisle have “sounded the alarm” on the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM)—and their “anticompetitive tactics”—in increasing drug prices.

“Spread pricing and rebates benefit PBMs and have helped the three largest PBMs monopolize the pharmaceutical market,” Comer continued. “It’s clear these self-benefitting practices only serve to help their bottom line rather than patients.”

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Also on Tuesday, the Federal District Court of Hawaii tossed the state’s lawsuit alleging that the three biggest PBMs were artificially and unlawfully hiking drug prices. Hawaii’s state attorney general has 45 days to file an amended complaint.

The state of Hawaii sued the top three PBMs—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx—in October 2023, claiming that they employed unlawful business practices, which in turn “have driven skyrocketing prices for brand-name prescription medications.” Among the practices that the lawsuit named was charging pharma companies rebates in exchange for favorable formulary placements for their drugs.

PBMs also charged drugmakers several other fees, none of which helped lower drug prices for patients at the point of sale, the lawsuit alleged. “Pay-to-play practices directly harm consumers both by artificially inflating the price of medications and by restricting consumers’ access to medications that could save or greatly increase the quality of their lives,” deputy attorney general Ciara Kahahane said at the time.

These double developments on Tuesday come amid mounting scrutiny of PBMs. Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published an interim report showing that the top three PBMs handled nearly 80% of all prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies across the country. The antitrust watchdog also found that these middlemen “can hike the cost of drugs” and overcharge patients for cancer therapies, according to FTC Chair Lina Khan.

A few days later, The Wall Street Journal reported that the FTC was gearing up to sue CVS Caremark, OptumRx and Express Scripts over alleged anticompetitive practices.

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Emergency crews treat unresponsive man aboard a vessel off Kaneohe

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Emergency crews treat unresponsive man aboard a vessel off Kaneohe


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Emergency crews responded to a medical incident offshore of Kualoa Regional Park Tuesday.

The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department said rescuers were called around 1:01 p.m. for an unresponsive adult man aboard a vessel about 10 miles offshore in Kaneohe waters.

Crews met the vessel near Mokolii, also known as Chinaman’s Hat, where a lifeguard boarded and began CPR and oxygen treatment.

The man was transported to Kualoa Regional Park, where Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took over care and continued advanced treatment.

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No additional information about the man’s condition was immediately available.

Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.



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Lava fountaining marks start of Episode 46 at Kilauea – Hawaii Tribune-Herald

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Lava fountaining marks start of Episode 46 at Kilauea – Hawaii Tribune-Herald


Kilauea began a new episode of lava fountaining at its summit today, prompting an ashfall advisory for parts of Hawaii Island.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Episode 46 started at 8:17 a.m. inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with activity confined to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The volcano remains at watch alert level and orange aviation color code, indicating heightened unrest with increased potential for eruption hazards.

The National Weather Service issued an ashfall advisory through 8 p.m. for areas downwind of the summit, including Volcano and Mountain View.

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Light and variable winds shifting southeast are expected to carry volcanic gas and ash across the summit region and toward the north and northwest areas.

Tephra, including ash and Pele’s hair, is most likely within about 3 miles of the vents, but lighter material can travel much farther.

Officials said impacts are expected to be limited, though ash particles can irritate eyes and lungs, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Residents are urged to limit exposure by staying indoors when possible, closing windows and doors and wearing masks and eye protection if going outside.

People with water catchment systems should cover and disconnect them to prevent contamination.

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Anyone observing ashfall is encouraged to report conditions to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at hawaiiash.science/report_form.





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AccesSurf to host 18th annual Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships

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AccesSurf to host 18th annual Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of the world’s premier adaptive surfing events is getting underway in Waikiki.

AccesSurf Hawaii is hosting the 2026 Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships this week, with competition beginning Tuesday, May 5, and running through Friday, May 8, at Queen’s Surf Break.

Now in its 18th year, the championships are part of the Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Tour and bring together more than 90 adaptive surfers from around the world competing across multiple divisions.

Organizers said the championships highlight not only elite competition, but also community, culture and inclusion.

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“The Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships is a powerful gathering of athletes, community and purpose,” said AccesSurf Executive Director Zoe Lewis. “We are proud to host this in Waikiki, where adaptive surfers can compete at an elite level while also experiencing the culture, community and spirit of Hawaii.”

Events began Monday with an opening ceremony at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, kicking off a week of competition and activities.

In addition to the surf competition, the week includes special events such as the Hawaiʻi premiere of The Incredible Paulk on May 6 and a community pau hana gathering on May 7.

Surf competition runs daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will also be streamed live online.

The public is invited to attend and support the athletes, with the week wrapping up Friday with an awards ceremony.

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Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.



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