<p style="margin-left: 0in;">Converging factors in healthcare make the case even more compelling for pharmacists to play a broader role in optimizing patient care and reducing healthcare expenses. The numbers are stark yet opportunity-rich: medication non-adherence costs the U.S. $300 billion annually, chronic diseases account for $2.6 trillion in healthcare costs and nearly 30 million more Americans are eligible for health insurance.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 0in;">At this critical juncture of healthcare needs and stretched resources, utilizing the abilities of trained healthcare providers like pharmacists makes sense—and Congress is on board. This week, Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) lent their support to NACDS-backed bipartisan legislation that would designate pharmacists as healthcare providers under the Medicare program, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 65.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 0in;">When the legislation was introduced in March of this year, NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, said, “Expanding the role of pharmacists to meet the demands of more than 30 million newly uninsured patients can only help alleviate the increased need for healthcare services.”</p>
<p style="margin-left: 0in;">The legislation—H.R. 4190—is designed to enhance access to pharmacy services for Medicare patients, including immunizations, disease state testing and self-management education. The bill would amend the Social Security Act of 1935, enabling pharmacists to work to their full capabilities, within the scope of state laws.</p>
<p>In addition to advocating for support on the legislation, NACDS met last week with stakeholders to highlight the benefits of pharmacist-administered preventive services to Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H. The group explained that pharmacy’s accessible, cost effective services are an integral and valuable part of innovative healthcare delivery. The group plans to follow-up on their initial meeting, at Koh’s request, with information on which states best utilize pharmacist services for healthcare delivery services. </p>
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