Right now, YOU have a paramount opportunity to join NACDS Total Store Expo (TSE) attendees in advocating legislation that would help patients access pharmacist care and services, alleviate gaps in care, preserve vital healthcare access in the future, and advance health equity. Please join this important effort to advocate for policy that creates a reliable reimbursement pathway for these services!
In May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a new amendment under the current declaration of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) that extends until December 2024, continuing the ability of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and tests – and to provide flu shots down to age 3.
Over the past two years, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has emphasized that the key to sustaining patients’ access to pharmacy services is three-fold: 1) extend the access provided by the federal PREP Act; 2) use the time of that extension to encourage states to update their laws to reflect the access contained in the federal PREP Act; and, because scope of practice largely is considered a state issue; and 3) enact federal legislation that closes a missing link by creating a payment pathway for pharmacy services in Medicare.
This plan is working and we must keep it on track! As patients’ access to pharmacy services is safeguarded by ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy teams are empowered to perform certain vaccinations, testing, and treatment, it is equally important to help ensure that such access for seniors is preserved via a Medicare payment mechanism.
That is why the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) as S. 2477 and in the U.S. House by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) as H.R. 1770, this bipartisan solution would help ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access essential services provided by pharmacists for COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat.
A Morning Consult survey found 86% say it is "very easy" or "somewhat easy" to access pharmacies – ranking their accessibility the highest among healthcare destinations tested. This statistic jumps to an amazing 96% among those 65 and older. Two thirds agree that learning the lessons of the pandemic means keeping in place policies that make it easier for patients to access services from pharmacists and other team members – including vaccinations. Patients now expect to continue to receive timely and consistent care and services from pharmacists, including services to combat COVID-19 – and services to help them manage other health challenges.
Join this effort TODAY to urge Congress to protect the front-line role pharmacies and their pharmacists play in the delivery of essential care and services to seniors across the country. To act, simply enter your contact information, click "Send Message" and the system will send personalized letters to your Senators and Representative.
If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please contact Heidi Ecker via telephone at 703-837-4121 or email.
In May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a new amendment under the current declaration of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) that extends until December 2024, continuing the ability of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and tests – and to provide flu shots down to age 3.
Over the past two years, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has emphasized that the key to sustaining patients’ access to pharmacy services is three-fold: 1) extend the access provided by the federal PREP Act; 2) use the time of that extension to encourage states to update their laws to reflect the access contained in the federal PREP Act; and, because scope of practice largely is considered a state issue; and 3) enact federal legislation that closes a missing link by creating a payment pathway for pharmacy services in Medicare.
This plan is working and we must keep it on track! As patients’ access to pharmacy services is safeguarded by ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy teams are empowered to perform certain vaccinations, testing, and treatment, it is equally important to help ensure that such access for seniors is preserved via a Medicare payment mechanism.
That is why the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) as S. 2477 and in the U.S. House by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) as H.R. 1770, this bipartisan solution would help ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access essential services provided by pharmacists for COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat.
A Morning Consult survey found 86% say it is "very easy" or "somewhat easy" to access pharmacies – ranking their accessibility the highest among healthcare destinations tested. This statistic jumps to an amazing 96% among those 65 and older. Two thirds agree that learning the lessons of the pandemic means keeping in place policies that make it easier for patients to access services from pharmacists and other team members – including vaccinations. Patients now expect to continue to receive timely and consistent care and services from pharmacists, including services to combat COVID-19 – and services to help them manage other health challenges.
Join this effort TODAY to urge Congress to protect the front-line role pharmacies and their pharmacists play in the delivery of essential care and services to seniors across the country. To act, simply enter your contact information, click "Send Message" and the system will send personalized letters to your Senators and Representative.
If you have any questions or would like any assistance, please contact Heidi Ecker via telephone at 703-837-4121 or email.
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