AiArthritis Advocacy Field Trip: 2026 BMS Policy Forum

AiArthritis' Grassroots Advocacy Manager Vanessa Lathan recently attended Bristol Myers Squibb's (BMS) first policy forum of 2026, which brought together patient leaders, advocates, and policy experts to discuss major healthcare policy issues that affect patients' ability to access and afford care and medications.

Conversations focused on how healthcare policies can create real, lasting improvements for patients - not just changes that look good on paper. Read on to uncover the key takeaways from these conversations.

Where the Healthcare System is Missing the Mark

A central theme was that healthcare reform must lower overall costs and improve patient health outcomes to ensure that patients can access treatments, afford medications, and receive quality care when needed. Speakers emphasized investing in primary care and prevention, which can help people stay healthier while lowering long-term healthcare costs. Another major topic was price transparency, especially when it comes to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), drug rebate systems, and what patients ultimately pay out of pocket for medications.

Speakers cautioned that some healthcare policies that look promising on paper do not always yield real savings or improved patient access. That is why transparency, monitoring, and accountability are critical as policies are implemented. Programs like 340B, which support healthcare providers serving underserved communities, were also discussed as areas where transparency and oversight remain important.

The timeline for new medications (often 7–8 years to reach patients) can delay timely access to important treatments.

Speakers discussed biosimilars, medications similar to existing biologic drugs, as a way to help create competition and potentially lower costs, though manufacturing and policy challenges can delay their availability. Strengthening biosimilar manufacturing in the US was identified as an important step forward.

Future advocacy priorities may include:

Linking drug pricing policies to improvements in patient health outcomes
Supporting personalized care models to address individual patient needs
Expanding proven healthcare innovation programs
Addressing long-term care challenges as the population ages

Keeping Patients at the Center of Policy

A second discussion focused on the patient perspective and why patient-centered policymaking is essential. Polling shows that healthcare costs are now the number one financial concern for many Americans, even higher than food or other household expenses. In fact, a recent survey found that 77% of patients worry about financial hardship related to healthcare costs more than those who worry about disease symptoms or disease progression. Speakers emphasized that while policymakers often talk about saving money in the healthcare system, those savings do not always reach patients directly.

Other challenges discussed included:

Rising insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs
Structural barriers that limit access to copay assistance programs
Patients struggling to afford or maintain health insurance
Access issues in mental health care, especially when patients cannot find in-network providers

These issues can make it difficult for patients to receive the care or medications they need. To better understand these challenges, check out the recent survey conducted by the Patient Inclusion Council, organized by AiArthritis, which explores medication access and affordability across health conditions.

Why Patient Advocacy Matters

Throughout the event, the message was clear: patient voices are essential to shaping healthcare policy. Advocates play a key role in helping policymakers understand real patient experiences.

Speakers encouraged advocates to engage policymakers earlier and to continue holding them accountable to ensure healthcare policies truly improve affordability and access.

Ultimately, healthcare reform should improve quality of life for patients and ensure healthcare system savings translate into lower costs, better access, and improved care for the people who need it most.