MATSUI AND COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXPAND SENIORS’ HEALTH CARE OPTIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act.

"Over the course of the pandemic, the immense strain on our health care system exacerbated existing inequalities in care." said Congresswoman Matsui. "In my district and across the country, pharmacists stepped up to meet the challenge, playing an essential role in meeting people where they are at and getting care and services to underserved communities. The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act would ensure that Medicare patients can continue to access these critical services well into the future."

"While I applaud the end of the Public Health Emergency, we must evaluate what policy changes made a positive impact on patient care," said Rep. Smith. "Pharmacists are already trusted partners in seniors' care, which is why we should allow Medicare to permanently reimburse for pharmacist-administered testing, vaccinating, and delivering of medications for common respiratory illnesses. This bill would expand seniors' options for care while respecting existing state law, and I thank my colleagues for partnering with me on this important legislation."

"During the pandemic, pharmacists demonstrated their immeasurable value providing care to communities big and small," said Rep. Schneider. "We need to build on these lessons and ensure pharmacists are able to continue providing care and receiving reimbursement for services related to COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat. I'm proud to be working on this important initiative with my Republican colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Adrian Smith."

"Seniors in Indiana's 8^th Congressional District and in communities across the country have come to rely on the critical care and services that pharmacists provide," said Dr. Bucshon. "The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act will help ensure that Hoosier pharmacists have the ability to continue to provide the care that they are already licensed to provide and that their communities need, and I am proud to help give them that support."

"Pharmacists are among the most trusted and accessible health care professionals in the country," said Rep. Carter. "This important, bipartisan legislation will preserve that relationship by ensuring coverage at the pharmacy counter for Medicare patients battling COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory diseases."

"I am honored to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that will provide millions of Americans with accessible healthcare," said Congresswoman Harshbarger. "As a pharmacist, I understand the critical front-line role that our nation's pharmacies play in providing healthcare to those living in senior, rural, and medically underserved communities across the country. Under the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, local pharmacies across Tennessee will continue to be a go-to, trusted source of quality care and support for their patients."

This legislation would enable local pharmacies like Pucci's Pharmacy to continue providing important services to the Sacramento community.

"Community pharmacists continue to be the most accessible provider in healthcare," said Clint Hopkins, CEO and Pharmacist, Pucci's Pharmacy."Our nation is facing healthcare provider shortages and pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who are positioned to relieve the strain on our system. Community pharmacies exist in both urban and rural areas throughout the nation and provide services to all demographics, ages, races, and ethnicities. We collaborate with the physicians in our communities to keep them abreast of testing performed, results, and therapies initiated, modified, or discontinued. This bill will expand access and promote health and wellness nationwide."

The Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act would continue Medicare coverage of pharmacist-administered tests for common respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), strep throat, and COVID-19. It would also allow pharmacists to prescribe treatments when warranted by testing and administer vaccinations for these illnesses when available. These flexibilities were provided during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), and are set to expire on May 11, 2023, when the PHE ends.

Original cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Bilirakis (R-FL), Blumenauer (R-OR), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Peters (D-CA), and Sewell (D-AL).

Read the bill HERE.

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