General Pharmacy News

Provider Status Legislation Reintroduced in U.S. Congress

The Tennessee Pharmacists Association is excited to announce that legislation has been re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that will amend the Social Security Act, recognizing pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B. The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, H.R. 592, will provide patients in medically underserved communities with access to pharmacists’ services under Medicare Part B.

TPA thanks U.S. Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-KY), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), and Ron Kind (D-WI) for re-introducing this landmark federal legislation!

This bipartisan legislation is the next step toward achieving recognition for pharmacists’ patient care services. This legislation, formerly known as H.R. 4190 during the 113th Congress, was previously supported by 123 bipartisan cosponsors, including Tennessee Congressmen Dr. Phil Roe, John “Jimmy” Duncan, Jr., and Steve Cohen. It will be essential for our profession to gain the same or greater level of bipartisan support for this re-introduced legislation.

H.R. 592 is synergistic with state-level practice act enhancements and will amplify opportunities for pharmacists to provide care to patients, especially through laws such as Tennessee’s recently enacted Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Act, which formally established the role of pharmacists as providers of care through collaborative partnerships with physicians and other health care providers. These important legislative initiatives were reinforced by the release of the National Governors Association Report earlier this month, describing the vital role that pharmacists play within health care teams.

The above state and federal legislative initiatives demonstrate the importance of advocacy efforts led by you, our valued members – pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy team members – and the vital role you can serve in the legislative and advocacy process.

• If you would like more information about how to get involved in TPA advocacy efforts, CLICK HERE.
• If you would like information about how to sign up as a TPA legislative key contact, CLICK HERE.
• If you would like information about how to contribute to the Tennessee PharmPAC, CLICK HERE.

Actively participate in TPA advocacy efforts and support TPA’s strength and capacity to improve the health and well-being of our patients and advance the profession of pharmacy! More information, including details about TPA’s Midyear Meetings and Legislative Reception, can be found on the TPA website at www.tnpharm.org.