NCPA: Leading Business Groups Back Medicare Access, Pharmacy Choice Legislation

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Two prominent, national business organizations recently expressed their support for bipartisan "any willing pharmacy" legislation to increase patient access to prescription drugs at their pharmacy of choice. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and National Grocers Association (NGA) have written to Congress to endorse the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act (H.R. 793 / S. 1190).

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20100106/DC33253LOGO

Currently Medicare beneficiaries are effectively forced to use only those pharmacies hand-picked by their drug plan (sometimes called "preferred" pharmacies). Patients' pharmacies of choice are often excluded by the drug plan, forcing seniors and caregivers to pay more or make a long trip to the plan's "preferred" pharmacy. H.R. 793 / S. 1190 would allow Medicare beneficiaries to utilize their pharmacy of choice, provided it is located in a medically underserved area and willing to accept the drug plan's contract terms and conditions.

"We write to voice our support for legislation that would improve access to prescription drugs for seniors and help level the playing field for small business community pharmacies operating under Medicare," wrote NFIB and NGA.

They added, "In many rural and urban communities, independent pharmacies may be the sole option for residents to conveniently fill their prescriptions. These pharmacies also provide employment opportunities and greatly contribute to their local economies. Yet they are still denied the opportunity to accept 'preferred' pharmacy contracts."

"It's encouraging to see that support continues to grow for this bipartisan legislation to give seniors easier access to prescription medication at their pharmacy of choice," said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. "We commend these business leaders for voicing their support for patients and the pharmacists who care for them. NCPA will continue to fight for a level playing field when it comes to exclusionary drug plans that undermine patient choice and health."

Keywords for this news article include: Medicare, Legal Issues, Health Policy, National Community Pharmacists Association.

Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2016, NewsRx LLC