Advocates to Picket OptumRx over PBM’s Abuse, Greed, says AHF

Three-day PROTEST @ United Healthcare’s Minnetonka, MN HQ, Optum’s parent company

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, August 15, 16 & 17, at 10:30 a.m. CT

AHF advocates assert United Healthcare’s OptumRx is robbing specialty pharmacies and impeding patient care

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthcare advocates from across the country will join AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to protest unethical charges by United Healthcare and its OptumRx pharmacy benefits manager to independent and specialty pharmacies providing the sensitive, lifesaving medical needs of individuals living with HIV and other critical illnesses. United Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest medical insurance companies, which in 2023 made over $5.7 billion in profit, has disproportionately impacted access to care for those living with critical illnesses by adding arbitrary penalties and fees to small, independent pharmacies, which has resulted in many patients not having their medicines covered at their pharmacy of choice, thus causing many to fall out of care.

WHAT:	Health advocates from across the country PROTESTING United Healthcare
WHERE:	United Healthcare Corporate Office, 9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, MN
WHEN:	TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, August 15-17, 2023, 10:30 a.m. (CT) NOTE: Tuesday’s protest will also include a mobile billboard targeting Optum
WHY:	United Healthcare, through its OptumRx PBM, is charging arbitrary penalties and fees to independent and specialty pharmacies that provide lifesaving medicines to those living with HIV and other critical illnesses
WHO:	Healthcare advocates with AHF from across the country.

“It is outrageous how United Healthcare and its Optum Rx PBM continue to put profit over people. Their actions rob specialty and independent pharmacies that many patients depend on, kneecapping them from providing the lifesaving medicines and services patients need,” said Tracy Jones, Midwest Regional Director and National Director of Advocacy for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Just how much money does United Healthcare need?”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global HIV and AIDS organization, provides medical care and/or services to more that 1.7 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website, find us on Facebook, follow us on IG and Twitter, or subscribe to our “AHFter Hours” podcast.