The Louisiana Pharmacy Benefit Manager Monitoring Advisory Council met last month with an unusual guest — one who came with a clear conflict of interest.

Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, founder and CEO of the Mark Cuban-backed Cost Plus Drug Company, was invited to brief the council on PBMs. But his company directly competes with them. No PBM representatives were invited to speak or respond. What could have been an informed policy discussion turned into an unbalanced promotional session for a single competitor — and that does not serve patients.

The one-sided hearing

Pharmacy benefit managers have long been in Mark Cuban’s crosshairs. He claims PBMs create “an inefficient market” and lack transparency. Those complaints underpin his partnership with Oshmyansky to form Cost Plus Drug Company, a business designed to bypass PBMs entirely.

If Louisiana’s leaders want real reform, they must start by restoring fairness — and remembering who the system exists to serve.

At the hearing, Oshmyansky presented his company’s views on PBMs without challenge or rebuttal. The absence of PBM voices left the council with a distorted view of the system it’s supposed to oversee.

That imbalance creates two serious problems.

First, it deprives the council of a complete understanding of how PBMs work — what services they provide, how they negotiate lower drug prices, and how Louisiana’s new PBM regulations are already being implemented. Without hearing from the industry itself, policymakers risk forming conclusions based on partial information and advocacy, not evidence.

Second, when public bodies accept one-sided testimony, patients lose. PBMs manage drug coverage for millions of Americans, ensuring access to affordable medicines and stable pharmacy networks. When their perspective is ignored, regulations may raise costs, reduce access, or disrupt care for the very people the state claims to protect.

Political hostility and government bias

The broader political context in Louisiana makes this even more troubling. Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has pushed to ban PBMs entirely — an extreme measure that would upend how prescription coverage operates in the state. Meanwhile, Attorney General Liz Murrill has sued CVS, one of the nation’s largest PBMs, for warning consumers about the potential fallout of such a ban.

These moves reveal a pattern: State leaders are treating PBMs not as partners with critical expertise but as enemies. That approach replaces policymaking with politics and undermines public confidence in fair regulation.

RELATED: The maligned and misunderstood player that Big Pharma wants gone

cagkansayin via iStock/Getty Images

Reform through balance, not bias

The PBM industry isn’t above reform. Greater transparency and accountability are necessary. But good policy starts with balance. The council should convene a second meeting — this time with PBM representatives at the table alongside Cost Plus Drug Company. The proceedings should be public and transparent.

Patients deserve policies based on facts, not billionaire-backed bias. Regulation shaped by evidence, not resentment, is how states protect health, affordability, and trust.

If Louisiana’s leaders want real reform, they must start by restoring fairness — and remembering who the system exists to serve.

​Opinion & analysis, Health care, Health insurance, Mark cuban, Alex oshmyansky, Cost plus drug company, Big pharma, Drug prices, Prescription drugs, Pharmaceutical companies, Pharmacy benefit managers, Pbm, Louisiana, Jeff landry, Liz murrill, Republicans, Democrats, Bias, Billionaires 

As if the 402-acre Muslim compound called “EPIC City” just north of Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas wasn’t enough, the sleepy little town of Murphy, Texas, is now being targeted by Islamists intent on spreading their ideology.

“There is a residential neighborhood called Oasis Springs Manor. And if you move to Oasis Springs Manor, you can now live on streets such as Al Maun Drive,” BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales says, explaining that the new street name is a reference to a passage or section in the Quran.

Another street is named Sadiq Drive, which is a reference to Jafar al-Sadiq, the sixth imam.

“A man who many Muslim writers credit for proclaiming the principle that whatever was contrary to the Quran should be rejected despite whatever evidence might support it,” Gonzales explains.

Osman Drive, another new street, is a nod to the former sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

“Now, remember, the Ottoman Empire used the concept of jihad or holy war to expand Islam into non-Muslim territories. Like, they were really big on that,” Gonzales says, before introducing the street Syed Drive.

Syed Drive “signifies a Muslim descendant of their prophet Muhammad.”

“And remember, Muhammad is a dude who married a child, had slaves. I’m sorry, you’re supposed to call them concubines. That’s the more PC way of saying that. Okay, so that’s what he had. I believe he consummated his child marriage when she was 9. Other than that, though, great guy,” Gonzales says.

“So that neighborhood has gotten the city to go along with naming their streets those names. Now, that’s sending quite a message, isn’t it? That neighborhood is sending quite the message. And the message is ‘We are not assimilating. … We are going to bring Islam everywhere’ because remember, that’s the whole freaking goal,” she continues.

Near this neighborhood is land owned by the Islamic Association of Murphy, where they’re also now building a 32,000-square-foot mosque.

“Now, the way that they have been able to build this mosque is because they purchased several lots of land that had homes on the land. They just demolished the homes. … They posted pictures on their website of all these homes just being ripped out from the ground, the yards, the trees, all of it, so that they can build a mosque there,” Gonzales explains.

“Oh, and by the way, when the city approved the mosque, the city said, ‘Okay, you guys are going to be responsible for the road repairs in the area,’ and the mosque threw this big fit. But when you read from the website for the mosque, it’s interesting, guys, because they boast that they worked with the mayor to reduce the share of the road improvement cost by the mosque from $800,000 to $396,000,” she continues.

“They just have to tell you how much the city is spending to just be a sitting duck,” she adds.

Want more from Sara Gonzales?

To enjoy more of Sara’s no-holds-barred takes on news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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Country singer Zach Bryan responded to a wave of backlash over a snippet of a song he released that appeared to criticize the mission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bryan posted the short clip from his song onto his Instagram account and immediately received fierce criticism from many on the right. That included Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

‘To see how much s**t it stirred up makes me not only embarrassed but kind of scared.’

“Zach, I didn’t listen to your music. I’m happy about that today,” she said during a media briefing in Portland, Oregon. “That makes me very happy that I never gave you a single penny to enrich your lifestyle.”

She later offered further clarification in a podcast interview with Benny Johnson.

“I hope Zach Bryan understands how completely disrespectful that song is, not just to law enforcement but to this country, to every single individual that has stood up and fought for our freedoms,” Noem said. “He just compromised it all by putting out a product … that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe.”

On Tuesday, the social media account for DHS mocked Bryan by posting a video using one of his songs in order to highlight ICE operations.

Bryan, who is a military veteran, responded to the backlash with a video posted to his Instagram account also on Tuesday.

“I served this country, I love this country, and the song itself is about all of us coming out of this divided space. I wasn’t speaking as a politician or some greater-than-thou a*****e, just a 29-year-old man who is just as confused as everyone else,” he said.

“To see how much s**t it stirred up makes me not only embarrassed but kind of scared,” he added.

RELATED: Don Lemon stunned by black New Yorker’s response to mass deportations during live streaming video

Bryan went on to explain that the song was written months ago.

“This song is about how much I love this country and everyone in it more than anything. When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle,” Bryan continued. “Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back.”

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Putting his doubters to shame once again, President Donald Trump has successfully brokered a peace in Gaza. The deal, which the Israeli government will vote on Thursday, was signed just days before the announcement of this year’s coveted Novel Peace Prize.

Israel has fought several wars with Hamas since the terrorist organization won Palestinian elections in 2006. The latest conflict between the two parties has been particularly brutal.

In the two years since Oct. 7, 2023 — the day Hamas slaughtered 1,200 Israelis, including hundreds of civilians, and took 251 hostages — Israel has lost at least 466 soldiers, including several colonels, in its Gaza counteroffensive. According to the Hamas-run Gazan health authority whose casualty estimates remain in question, there have been well over 65,000 Gazan fatalities.

President Donald Trump, who has earned a reputation not only for hating wars but for ending them, has worked ardently to secure peace in the Gaza Strip.

Late last month, he announced a 21-point peace plan for Gaza — a plan lauded by leaders around the globe.

Hamas promptly agreed to the deal, which requires an immediate end to the fighting; a return of the Israeli hostages; Israel’s release of thousands of Gazans detained after Oct. 7, 2023; a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza City, Rafah, and other heavily populated areas; and a resumption of aid to Gaza “without interference from the two parties.”

Trump revealed in a Truth Social post on Wednesday evening that “Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.”

‘He deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this.’

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” wrote Trump. “All Parties will be treated fairly!”

Trump emphasized that “this is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.”

“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” added the president.

— (@)

As Trump’s name was reportedly chanted in the streets of Gaza and Israel alike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point.”

RELATED: Two years after October 7: God hasn’t been silent

Photo by BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

“I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages,” added Netanyahu.

An Israeli government official told the Telegraph that Netanyahu’s government will vote on whether to certify the peace plan around 5 p.m. local time. Within 72 hours of the approval, the exchange of hostages and prisoners is supposed to commence.

Ahead of the Israeli vote, there have been renewed calls for Trump to finally receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump has brokered peaceful resolutions between Azerbaijan and Armenia; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Cambodia and Thailand; and India and Pakistan. He has also worked to smooth things over between Egypt and Ethiopia as well as between Kosovo and Serbia during his first term.

While any one these accomplishments would appear prizeworthy, a European diplomat told the Financial Times ahead of Trump’s Wednesday announcement, “This is different. Gaza would be a big deal.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote in response to Trump’s announcement, “Undoubtedly, President Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog similarly noted, “There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this.”

In his Sept. 30 address to military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, Trump said of the Nobel Peace Prize, “They’ll give it to some guy that didn’t do a damn thing.”

After suggesting that a decision by the Nobel committee members on Oct. 10 not to award him the prize would “be a big insult to our country,” Trump noted, “I don’t want it. I want the country to get it.”

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