On3PR first led a strategic communications and public relations campaign on behalf of the EMPOWER Patients coalition in 2021 contributing to the success of the coalition’s 2022 legislative strategy to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the eventual passage of priority legislation (House Bill 357) through both House and Senate chambers before it was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. On3PR continued its work on behalf of the coalition leading into the 2023 Legislative Session, building on the coalition’s recent momentum to ensure the Prescription Drug Reform Act (Senate Bill 1550), which would further rein in PBMs.

While working with EMPOWER Patients in 2023, On3PR placed multiple op-eds from a coalition member. Together the op-eds ran in outlets covering all 10 of Florida’s media markets, at the height of legislative session and the conclusion of session.

With the regular distribution of proactive press releases and reactive statements, On3PR garnered EMPOWER Patients several other standalone news articles and positive media mentions in a variety of news outlets, reaching a total of 1.7 million readers. Notably, in its annual post-session recap, the widely read and influential outlet Florida Politics recognized the coalition as a ‘Winner’ and credited On3PR for “handling arguably the biggest PR battle of session.”   

In terms of social media, On3PR maintained EMPOWER Patients’ multi-platform presence, which included developing regular content and monitoring engagement. The coalition’s Twitter following, in particular, increased by 15 percent during the campaign. 

Prior to the start of the 2023 session, On3PR also updated EMPOWER Patients’ website to more clearly explain the PBM issue and provide additional resources for those advocating for reform in Florida. This included creating new pages and sub-pages and refreshing existing content with graphics, surveys, and more.

Among other services provided to EMPOWER Patients throughout session, On3PR developed six e-newsletters and sent them to grassroots supporters to convey legislative updates, resources, and action alerts; designed and placed a full-page print ad and two digital ads encouraging support for the priority legislation; and designed graphic one-pagers on The Prescription Drug Reform Act for lobbyists and advocates to reference in meetings with legislators and staff.

On3PR considers the collaboration with EMPOWER Patients to be a great triumph, as Senate Bill 1550 passed both the House and Senate chambers nearly unanimously with Governor DeSantis signing the measure into law on May 3, 2023.