Imagine you have epilepsy and after many years of trying to get a diagnosis, trying different treatments, and juggling all the responsibilities of daily life, you finally found a medication that works great.

You’re feeling better about life — until you go to refill your prescription medication, and the pharmacist informs you the cost is nearly double the cost because your insurance company’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) decided your medication isn’t covered anymore because it cost too much.

Now you’re back to square one, forced to go back to medications you already know don’t work for you.

That’s just one example. The tactics and practices PBMs regularly use are — intentionally or not — hurting millions of patients who rely on everyday medicines. As a result, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has finally taken notice and started looking at ways to protect patients and lower the cost of medicine.

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Since January, the Senate HELP Committee has taken bipartisan aim at the practices of PBMs and began to evaluate how to pass reforms to alleviate financial burdens for patients. There’s reason to be optimistic Congress may soon act on this critical legislation, likely before the upcoming August recess.

We don’t have time to spare.

At the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming, we fiercely advocate for patients and their families for access to critical care. Our approach to the critical issue of PBM reform focuses on two key areas: advocating for enhanced transparency and ensuring the savings PBMs negotiate are passed on to patients.

Last year, PBMs siphoned off more than $140 billion in medication rebates and discounts meant to benefit patients, not corporations. The three largest PBMs negotiate 80% of the entire prescription drug market, which gives them an unfair amount of market power.

PBMs also control which drugs are available to patients through their formulary lists. They also increase their profit by taking rebates from drug makers — rebates meant to help patients directly. The practice of “spread pricing” is another way they keep patient prices high. In these cases, PBMs charge their clients (insurance companies, large employers, major health plans) more than the discounted rate they negotiate to buy the drugs, and then they keep the difference. This practice is especially hurting rural pharmacies and underserved communities.

In short, PBMs have been able to profit off the backs of employers and patients because no one has been paying attention — until now. Our foundation is one of a growing group of patient advocacy organizations, consumer groups and business associations encouraging Congress to make meaningful PBM reform.

Patient advocates are fighting daily to encourage thoughtful senators like Colorado’s Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to push for immediate action on PBM reform and give this vital legislation their full support. We will continue working with epilepsy patients and families who rely on lifesaving medicines to join us. Together we can lower the price of prescription drugs and provide some relief for patients across the country.

Marcee Audee serves as vice president of Community Initiatives at the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming. In her role, she spearheads innovative programs and helps lead the foundation in the areas of strategic planning, program development and community engagement.