Reform | NACDS

Senate Makes First Move on ACA Deconstruction

admin2017-01-06T13:17:42-05:00Categories: Article|Tags: Medicaid, Reform, Reimbursement|

The Senate Budget Committee has made the first move in changing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as we know it.

On Tuesday, the panel – chaired by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) – introduced a resolution that provides “reconciliation instructions” to various Senate and House committees, essentially allowing the panels to take apart the ACA as expeditiously as possible and with only a simple-majority vote.

Under the resolution, the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, would report legislation by January 27 to the Budget Committee in their respective chambers of Congress. The legislative provisions would be melded into bills that would be considered by the full House and by the full Senate.

All of this could be set into motion by potential votes on the budget resolution in the House and Senate next week.

NACDS and allied associations continue to advocate for a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy approach to any related modifications to pharmacy reimbursement in government programs.

Pharmacy Associations Highlight Pro-Patient Priorities Amid ACA Review Letter to president- and vice president-elect, congressional leadership emphasizes pharmacy access to improve patient outcomes and prevent higher healthcare costs

admin2016-12-19T09:29:52-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medicaid, Medicare, Reform, Reimbursement|

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the new power structure in Washington, D.C., the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) have detailed steps necessary to leverage pharmacy patient care and prevent higher costs that result from untreated conditions.

“As the incoming Administration and Congress consider potential changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, we ask that you ensure that beneficiary access to pharmacies is protected. Policies that reduce local pharmacy access lead to poorer health outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased future healthcare costs,” the associations wrote to President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI), and House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

The letter highlighted:

the accessibility of pharmacists;
their role in boosting medication adherence, which relates to taking medications as prescribed;
the importance of maintaining patients’ choice of pharmacies;
the importance of assuring fair and accurate Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement, according to average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper limits (FULs) that were enacted in the Affordable Care Act; and
opportunities to build on pharmacists’ vaccination success story by improving patient access to pharmacist services for underserved Medicare beneficiaries.

“Nearly all Americans (91%) live within five miles of a community pharmacy. As Americans’ most convenient and accessible healthcare provider, we look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid patients can continue to receive cost-effective pharmacy services. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists have expanded their role by collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to meet patients’ needs,” the associations wrote.

While noting the opportunities that exist in newer pharmacist-provided services, the associations emphasized that jeopardizing pharmacy access for medication services threatens health outcomes and healthcare affordability.

The associations explained, “The importance of medication-related services and maintaining access to community pharmacists for the Medicare and Medicaid populations cannot be overstated. Improving medication adherence can help Congress achieve its goals of better managing care for Medicare and [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Takes Policy Priorities to Governors of All 50 States Urges pro-patient, pro-pharmacy agenda amid any changes to ACA, Medicare, Medicaid

admin2015-12-21T12:55:38-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medicaid, Medicare, Reform, Reimbursement, States|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has sent a letter to the governors of all 50 states, urging pharmacy patient care as a top priority in any changes to healthcare policy in 2017 and beyond. The most recent letters continue NACDS’ pro-patient, pro-pharmacy drumbeat to federal and state government decision-makers as healthcare policy seems to be approaching a major crossroads in the coming months.

As you engage with the incoming Trump Administration and prepare for the upcoming 115th Congress and potential healthcare reforms, we ask that you consider the value of community pharmacy in your efforts to provide improved quality of care at lower overall healthcare costs.

“As you engage with the incoming Trump Administration and prepare for the upcoming 115th Congress and potential healthcare reforms, we ask that you consider the value of community pharmacy in your efforts to provide improved quality of care at lower overall healthcare costs,” NACDS wrote.

“Particularly with respect to healthcare markets and state Medicaid programs, policies that reduce local pharmacy access lead to poorer health outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased future healthcare costs. We believe you should consider policy proposals that, at a minimum, ensure that beneficiary access to community pharmacies is protected. Moreover, as you consider options to improve overall healthcare delivery, we remind you that community pharmacies are fully equipped to provide better care at a lower cost and stand ready to assist. We hope that you will let the incoming Administration and Congress know of the importance of protecting pharmacy services in Medicaid and Medicare as they consider healthcare reform proposals.”

NACDS noted a National Governors Association report, titled “The Expanding Role of Pharmacists in a Transformed Health Care System,” that described opportunities for pharmacists to help improve healthcare through an expansion of their role in collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers to meet patients’ needs.

To capitalize on these opportunities, NACDS urged enhancements to pharmacists’ scope of practice and the importance of federal legislation – the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act – that would improve access for to pharmacist-provided services in Medicare. NACDS also urged proper implementation of the pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement provisions of [ READ MORE ]