FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 26, 2026

Press Contact:

Vincent Errichetti

(617) 922-1824

Press@johndeatonforsenate.com

BOLTON, MA -- Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton called for the breakup of corporate healthcare monopolies on Monday, shortly after receiving news that Massachusetts insurers announced hefty increases to monthly premiums for 2027.

Monthly premiums increased by as much as 20% for some customers of Harvard Pilgrim, according to one individual who shared a copy of their bill with the Deaton campaign. Deaton accused Senator Ed Markey of failing to rein in runaway healthcare premiums during his five decades in Washington.

"The only thing Ed Markey has done in 53 years is insure himself through an incumbent protection plan that comes free of charge thanks to Massachusetts taxpayers," said Deaton.

"Three vertically integrated insurance conglomerates now control over 90% of American healthcare, and three pharmacy benefit managers control over 80% of every prescription filled in this country. That is not a market — it's a cartel, and Americans pay the price in premiums, deductibles, and drug costs that keep climbing no matter which party is in charge. I will fight to break up these vertically integrated insurers and break up the PBM monopoly so patients, doctors, and pharmacists — not middlemen — decide what care looks like.

"I will work to lower prescription drug costs, expand telehealth so families don't have to drive an hour or wait weeks to see a doctor, and demand full transparency in drug pricing — including clear, upfront disclosure of the difference between the cash price and the insurance price for the same prescription, so patients can actually shop for the best deal. All of this can be done without growing Washington's bureaucracy or raising taxes."

###