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Providing you with practical information on health care reform, what APhA is doing to keep pharmacists’ important role front and center with decision makers, and simple ways you can participate in the process.
›› Read APhA's Message to Congress
›› Read the Pharmacy Principles for Health Care Reform.
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What's Happening:
Activities on Capitol Hill and within the Obama administration

›› CMS finalizes manufacturer agreements for coverage gap – In 2011, only drugs with a signed manufacturer agreement will be covered under Part D.
›› FMAP funding signed into law – House approves $16 billion in federal aid for Medicaid.
›› Increased FMAP funding up for vote by House – APhA supports Medicaid measure, which was approved by the Senate 61-39.


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Other Voices:
Health care reform developments in professional journals and other media

›› FDA's CDER advised by Drug Safety Oversight Board – DSB 'instrumental' in drug safety communications, explain authors in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
›› FDA seeks greater clarity, consistency in consumer drug information – Future rule could mandate standardized approaches, NPR says.
›› Pharmacists should get in on ground floor of ACOs – ACOs need flexible models, payment approaches, and a learning system, Health Affairs paper recommends.


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Advocacy Resources

›› Tips for Participating a Townhall Meeting
›› How to Conduct A District Visit (Checklist)
›› A Preceptors Guide for Health Care Reform & Advocacy Learning Experience


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APhA in Action:
What APhA and organized pharmacy is doing in the realm of health care reform

›› APhA: Strengthen proposed opioid REMS by recognizing role of pharmacists – Advisory panels suggest more is needed in FDA's proposed REMS for long-acting, extended release opioids
›› APhA seeks soft launch of new NPI requirement – CMS interim final rule implements Affordable Care Act provisions to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse.
›› APhA: Include pharmacists in Medicare tobacco cessation proposal – CMS proposes payment for two counseling attempts per year, with four counseling sessions per attempt.


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Stories Pharmacy Can Tell:
Profiles of pharmacists who are blazing a trail toward a new mode of practice in the profession and how that is helping the patients they serve. ›› View stories by state 

›› Alabama pharmacist Main appeals to Obama: Rural pharmacy crucial to patient care – Pharmacy advocates share their stories on healthreform.gov
›› MTM essential in health care reform, UConn’s Hritcko tells President – Pharmacy advocates share their stories on healthreform.gov
›› Kerr opening MTM-only location in Charleston – Maintaining relationships with patients, employers a key motivator keeping clinical staff in area after regional chain decided to end dispensing operations in area.


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Statements

›› PQA MTM Research Questions Supported by APhA
›› Chart of Boards and Commissions Established in ACA
›› Stakeholders Letter to AHRQ in Support of the MTM Grant Program