EndocrinologyNCPA Statement On House Democrats' Bill On Health Care Reform
U.S. House of Representatives Democrats today unveiled their bill for health care reform - the America"s Affordable Health Care Choice of 2009. In response, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, issued the following statement:
"Community pharmacists play a critical role in the health care system. NCPA is committed to ensuring that any health reform legislation does two things: First, it should utilize medication therapy management and other pharmacist-delivered health care services to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall costs, such as from improper medication use. Second, and more importantly, Congress should assure that there is a viable community pharmacy infrastructure to deliver quality health care to millions of patients across America.
"This is a sweeping legislative proposal that requires additional, careful review. However, we are pleased that the bill begins to reform the system that will be used to pay pharmacies for generic medications dispensed to Medicaid patients. We need to work with the Congress and the states as this bill moves forward to assure that appropriate payment exists for pharmacists to dispense lower-cost generic medications. For Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved rural or urban areas, community pharmacies are often the sole health care provider.
"We also appreciate the inclusion of provisions that exempt community pharmacists who provide durable medical equipment, such as diabetes testing strips, from duplicative and onerous accreditation and surety bond requirements. This will allow for patients to continue accessing these valuable health care products.
"On these and other matters we will continue working with the House, Senate and White House to ensure that health care reform allows community pharmacies to remain a valuable cog in America"s health system. When that occurs patients will have better outcomes and cost saving can be found."
The National Community Pharmacists Association