'I'm Sorry, Can I Have An Answer To My Question?'

[struggle4progress]

Forbes Breaking News
May 23, 2026

At Wednesday's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questioned Keith M. Bass, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.

[Srkdqltr]

1. Elizabeth knows all.

[GoCubsGo]

2. This needs to be the response every damn time.

Enough of letting them get away with their obfuscating.

[LogDog75]

3. I've used Express Scripts in the past but not now

I get my medications from the local Navy Clinic but for a short while, I tried Express Scripts so I wouldn't have to go the the clinic's pharmacy. It would take about a week for my meds to arrive in the mail whereas I could get a refill at the clinic in 2 - 3 days. Having worked in AF medical materiel (supply) and having bought bought our pharmacy's drugs, I know the cost to the military is about 40% less than what civilian pharmacies pay. That's because the military has a greater buying power than non-military pharmacies. By getting my med from the Navy Clinic, I'm helping save the government money.

Tricare is divided into three regions; East, West, and Overseas. A large military hospital oversees the contract for a Tricare region for all the military hospitals. They provide usage data to a pharmaceutical wholesaler, known as a Prime Vendor, who bases individual drug prices upon the amount of the drug they will sell over the next year. This allows the wholesaler to negotiate with drug companies to obtain a lower price which is then passed on to the military in either lower prices or a rebate.

Having helped manage a pharmaceutical Prime Vendor contract, I was privy to seeing what the actual drug prices we were being charged. Using Red Book, which lists the prices of drugs, I did a short evaluation of the what we paid versus what civilian pharmacies paid. My evaluation showed we paid about 40% less for the drugs than out civilian counterparts.

[erronis]

6. I've seen the same with purchases (non-drug) made by the VA.

[TxGuitar]

4. Is it too much to ask to summarize?

Otherwise, why not post this video in the Videos group? Not everyone can view videos, whether because of technology limitations or the fact that people are at work. How hard is it to summarize or provide salient points?

I personally don't like watching videos because they end up being long winded and take forever to make a point (like Rachel Maddow). At least post the transcript.

[LogDog75]

5. I agree

Too many times someone will post a long video instead of giving us the time mark where we can skip to to see what is going on.

In the video for this thread, I watched it in its entirety and it was worth it. I understood the terminology Warren was using and I could understand the mostly non-answer the assistant secretary was giving.

[erronis]

8. Maybe you could offer to write the requested transcript?

We're probably going to end up with an AI-"enhanced" transcript if we're not careful.

[chowder66]

10. I don't have time to watch but the transcript is up at Senator Warren's govt page

https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-at-hearing-warren-presses-military-leaders-on-potential-conflicts-of-interest-in-tricare-pharmacy-contract-secures-dod-to-strengthen-whistleblower-protections


Not sure if that helps.

[cmmngrnd]

12. Agreement - People post these for a reason, please tell us why.

Nothing much, just give us the punchline. I also generally dislike watching videos, especially the talking heads that pad their content with fluff before the advertised good stuff. Chowder66 - that does help - thanks!

Youtube does have transcripts. Click "watch on Youtube" then in the description click "more" then "show transcript." The transcript is auto-generated and synched to the video. It does not say who is talking, but it is searchable. This is what you get:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Triricare pharmacy benefit helps 9 million service
0:08
8 seconds
members, veterans, and their families access prescription drugs. Triricare's prime uh pharmacy contractor, Express
0:16
16 seconds
Scripts, decides whichies are included in the Triricare network, and decides
0:23
23 seconds
what they're going to get paid. Um, and of course, Express Scripts is supposed to work for the DoD and for military
0:32
32 seconds
families. That's what taxpayers pay Express Scripts to do. Except Express
0:40
40 seconds

[[ ... and so on. I cut the middle parts to shorten this comment. You get the idea. ]]

8 minutes, 11 seconds
greater transparency to try to beat this kind of conflict out of the system. I look forward to working with DoD on this
8:20
8 minutes, 20 seconds
and serving the best interests of the 9 million American service members, veterans, and their families who are depending on us. Thank you. I appreciate it, Secretary Pass. Thank you, Mr.
8:31
8 minutes, 31 seconds
Chairman, and thank you for the extra time.

[KS Toronado]

7. Sen. Elizabeth Warren would make a great President or V.P.

[MustLoveBeagles]

9. I agree 👍

[wnylib]

11. Treasury Secretary. Finances are her forte.