Lt. Gov. Bryant’s pharmacy has received $19.5 million in state payments in past decade
The
Bryant answered questions about the state payments in an interview Friday with the Independent Mail.
"I wouldn't blame anybody who had a concern with it," he said.
His pharmacy is one of many in
"I am a participant in a free-market system," he said. "There is nothing exclusive here. A Medicaid customer can go wherever they want."
Bryant said there are several other pharmacies within a couple of miles of his store on
"Competition is fierce and I welcome that," he said. "Obviously our customers have lots of choices if we don't serve them well."
The state health plan contracts with 11,425 pharmacies and those businesses were paid a total of nearly
"It is because of the work ethic that Daddy started back in the '60s of treating your customers with the best service possible," said Bryant, who served in the state
Regular customers who come into the store "get spoken to by name," he said.
"Our customer-service folks spoil our customers rotten," Bryant said. "We cut up with them. We have a good relationship with them."
The state
Bryant said Medicaid customers account for about 25 percent of his pharmacy's prescription business.
While serving as a senator, Bryant said, "I have voted to cut my own reimbursement and I have voted against Medicaid expansion, voted against cigarette tax, which expanded Medicaid, and I voted against every Medicaid budget."
After Medicaid reimbursement rates were cut several years ago, Bryant said many pharmacies stopped providing supplies such as disposable diapers and bed pads to residents receiving long-term care throughout the state. In contrast,
Bryant reported last year that his business received about
In the final days before last year's Republican primary, a group called Free Speech Unites mailed out fliers criticizing Bryant for the state money his pharmacy has received. Bryant's opponent in the primary, former
Bryant, who narrowly defeated Burdette, said he wouldn't be surprised if the same issue comes up in the governor's race.
Other candidates' reports
The state payments to Bryant's pharmacy were listed on reports known as a statement of economic interests that public officials and candidates are required to file annually with the state
Bryant also has listed more than
Gov.
McMaster, who replaced former Gov.
On his 2017 report, McMaster listed
An official from McMaster's campaign did not return a phone message or text message Friday seeking comment.
A spokesman for Templeton's campaign declined to comment.
McGill, a former Democratic state senator who switched to the
Templeton, the former director of the state
The State newspaper reported earlier this month that Templeton was paid
'In it to win'
At this point, McMaster and Templeton are seen as the front-runners for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. No
According to their latest financial disclosures, McMaster has nearly
Crangle said he sees Bryant as an underdog in the race because he is not well-known throughout
Bryant said in Friday's interview that he is "in it to win."
Two weeks after announcing his candidacy in
Bryant said his campaign is being managed by
McMaster and Bryant are each expected to attend a fundraiser Monday night for
If he is elected, Bryant said, he may have to create a blind trust because the governor appoints the director of the
"After I become governor that is going to need to be addressed and we'll do whatever is ethical," he said.
Follow
State payments to
2008:
2009:
2010: 1,528,312.10
2011:
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
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