NACDS RxIMPACT needs your help battling a state proposal that would set a per pharmacy prescription assessment on pharmacy providers that would negatively impact patients and the pharmacies that serve them. This proposal is set to be heard before the Maine Health and Human Services Joint Committee tomorrow, March 6th.
Proposed by Governor Janet T. Mills (D-ME) in the state’s proposed budget (LD 210 part SS), a provision would subject every pharmacy in Maine to a per pharmacy prescription assessment in the amount of $0.70 cents per pharmacy prescription dispensed. The state suggests the gamble of uncertain unrelated efforts of its Medicaid program MaineCare could possibly raise reimbursement rates. By implementing this tax without assurance that all pharmacies will be made whole, the state risks destabilizing community pharmacies that serve as lifelines to Maine’s most vulnerable residents.
The plan would hurt patients and pharmacies at a time when Maine has lost more than 10% of its retail pharmacies in the last 10 years. If enacted, pharmacies will be forced to make difficult choices like reduced hours, limited services, or even close locations that are no longer financially viable. Patients, especially in rural communities, could face longer travel distances to obtain essential medications, undermining health care access for the very people this proposal aims to help.
Help NACDS RxIMPACT tell state legislators to oppose this tax and explore alternative solutions that ensure all pharmacies receive fair and sustainable reimbursement! Please type in your contact information, review the letter that will be populated to your state legislators, and then click “send message” to send the communication. Our profession, our industry, and our patients are depending on you. If you have any questions about this communication, please contact Heidi Ecker, Vice President of Government, Political, and Digital Communications via email at Hecker@nacds.org.
Proposed by Governor Janet T. Mills (D-ME) in the state’s proposed budget (LD 210 part SS), a provision would subject every pharmacy in Maine to a per pharmacy prescription assessment in the amount of $0.70 cents per pharmacy prescription dispensed. The state suggests the gamble of uncertain unrelated efforts of its Medicaid program MaineCare could possibly raise reimbursement rates. By implementing this tax without assurance that all pharmacies will be made whole, the state risks destabilizing community pharmacies that serve as lifelines to Maine’s most vulnerable residents.
The plan would hurt patients and pharmacies at a time when Maine has lost more than 10% of its retail pharmacies in the last 10 years. If enacted, pharmacies will be forced to make difficult choices like reduced hours, limited services, or even close locations that are no longer financially viable. Patients, especially in rural communities, could face longer travel distances to obtain essential medications, undermining health care access for the very people this proposal aims to help.
Help NACDS RxIMPACT tell state legislators to oppose this tax and explore alternative solutions that ensure all pharmacies receive fair and sustainable reimbursement! Please type in your contact information, review the letter that will be populated to your state legislators, and then click “send message” to send the communication. Our profession, our industry, and our patients are depending on you. If you have any questions about this communication, please contact Heidi Ecker, Vice President of Government, Political, and Digital Communications via email at Hecker@nacds.org.