Mark Cuban and Trump Appointee Collaborate to Tackle Healthcare Costs

Unlikely allies unite to disrupt the pharmacy industry and increase drug price transparency

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Trump appointee Chris Klomp, who oversees Medicare, have formed an unexpected alliance to address the complexities and high costs of American healthcare. Their collaboration, highlighted at the recent Silicon Slopes Summit, signals a potential shift in how healthcare affordability is approached, moving beyond partisan divides. While they differ on the best path forward - with Cuban advocating for government intervention and Klomp emphasizing free market innovation - their shared goal of empowering patients with cost information has led to the creation of platforms like Cost Plus Drugs and TrumpRx.gov, which aim to increase transparency and disrupt traditional pharmacy models.

Why it matters

This collaboration between Cuban and Klomp represents a growing trend of individuals driven by personal experiences entering the healthcare space with innovative solutions. Their focus on addressing the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in driving up drug prices reflects a broader national debate about the influence of these industry middlemen. The emergence of platforms like Cost Plus Drugs and TrumpRx.gov suggests a potential future where public and private sector initiatives work together to improve healthcare affordability.

The details

Mark Cuban's entry into healthcare was spurred by concerns over the potential rollback of the Affordable Care Act and a growing awareness of the lack of transparency in drug pricing. This led to the creation of Cost Plus Drugs, a company that directly sells prescription drugs to consumers with a minimal markup. Chris Klomp's dedication to healthcare reform stems from the loss of his mother to cancer as a teenager, which fueled his desire to improve the system. Klomp's appointment to oversee Medicare under the Trump administration provided a platform to translate his passion into policy, including the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a website designed to provide consumers with transparent, upfront pricing for prescription medications.

  • In 2022, Cost Plus Drugs was launched and has since served over 3 million customers.
  • TrumpRx.gov was launched during Klomp's tenure overseeing Medicare under the Trump administration.

The players

Mark Cuban

An entrepreneur known for 'Shark Tank' and his ownership stake in the Dallas Mavericks, who has created Cost Plus Drugs to disrupt the pharmacy industry and increase drug price transparency.

Chris Klomp

A Trump appointee who oversees Medicare and has championed initiatives like TrumpRx.gov to provide consumers with transparent, upfront pricing for prescription medications.

Collective Medical

A company founded by Chris Klomp, which aims to improve the healthcare system.

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What they’re saying

“We must break up the largest insurance companies, through their ownership of PBMs, to foster true competition and lower costs.”

— Mark Cuban (Silicon Slopes Summit)

“Empowering entrepreneurs to challenge incumbents is the key to driving innovation and affordability in healthcare.”

— Chris Klomp, Medicare Overseer (Silicon Slopes Summit)

What’s next

As the collaboration between Cuban and Klomp continues, it will be important to monitor the impact of their initiatives on drug pricing and healthcare affordability. Regulatory changes targeting the role of PBMs may also be a key area to watch in the coming years.

The takeaway

The partnership between Mark Cuban and Chris Klomp represents a potential shift in how healthcare affordability is approached, with a focus on increasing price transparency and empowering consumers through innovative, market-driven solutions. Their collaboration suggests a future where public and private sector initiatives work together to address the complexities of the American healthcare system.