WASHINGTON — Two Republican congressmen are looking into CVS over concerns that the company used confidential patient information to lobby against a Louisiana bill that would have forced it to break up its pharmacy business.
On Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee Chair Clay Higgins, R-La., sent a letter pressing CVS about its June text message campaign to patients, alleging it may have violated the HIPAA privacy law.
The letter requests information about CVS’ use of patient data for the purposes of political advocacy in Louisiana and other states over the past five years.
"We have received the letter and will respond to Chairman Comer. Our communication with CVS customers, patients and members of the community was consistent with the law," said David Whitrap, vice president, External Affairs at CVS Health. "Our focus remains on lowering drug costs, providing access to care, and helping improve health. We look forward to working productively with policymakers to continue to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible, and to promote the value of community pharmacy," he added.
