We received a big update on 2021 Pharmacist Provider Status this month and it is exciting to see that we still on the radar of the federal government. I have just emailed my representative this morning and am asking you to do the same. Pharmacist provider status will not happen without action. I will be placing a phone call on Monday as well. If there was ever a bill designed for bipartisan support, this is it.
I would ask that you reply below to this post after you have written a letter to your congressperson in support of HR 2759 (House of Representatives).
The official bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
If you have a representative on those committees I would strongly suggest an email and a phone call!
Here was the statement put out by ASHP on their Facebook page regarding the update.
ASHP applauds today’s introduction of The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Area Enhancement Act that will give millions of Medicare patients access to #Pharmacists primary care services. The bill will authorize pharmacists to deliver primary care services already authorized by state law. It will expand access to care and improve outcomes for patients who live in medically underserved areas. Thank you to the bill’s sponsors @GKButterfield and @RepMcKinley for their leadership on this critical issue. Ask your member of Congress to support this important legislation that will expand patients’ access to primary care services and allow pharmacists to practice to the full extent of their training.
-ASHP FB Page on 2021 Pharmacist Provider Status
ASHP has a template letter that you can take advantage of. Click Here to go to that link.
I’m tired of waiting for pharmacist provider status. Let’s collectively push this along a little faster and get this done in 2021!
If you are a great legislative mind or have information to share, please place a comment below!
Eric Christianson, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
I have just sent a letter to House Republican Policy Committee Chair Gary Palmer
R Alabama, 6th (2015-) In Office. Thank you for your email to alert us of this Act. How wonderful it would be for Pharmacist to finally have provider status.
I just did too. Thanks for letting us know!
I’ve just emailed my representative Mike Quigley ( IL-5). I’m so excited that we will eventually become providers to expand our value as medication experts
I have been involved in CDTM legislature in NY and a staunch supporter of pharmacist provider legislature for the past 20 years. For some unexplainable reason, Congress does not take us seriously. Look at the diffract health care related professions that have provider status and then look at us. It is frustrating. In addition if the feds grant provider status to us (I HOPE ITS IN MY LIFETIME) the state you practice in determines your status. Currently NY does not recognize pharmacists as providers so the federal “law” would not apply to us. This is the work of the Assembly’s committee on higher education who’s chair seems to have a vendetta against pharmacists in the state of NY. She has held up CDTM legislature for years- not even allowing it to be discussed in her committee when almost the entire Assembly and Senate sponsored the bill.
I am not a believer in conspiracies , but there seems to be people who do not want pharmacists to be recognized.
Year in and year out pharmacists are asked by their organizations to continue to prove their worth to no avail. I have written to my elected officials numerous times and most often woithout Ieven a “form letter” response. I don’t know what else we have to do