APhA leaders, state execs visit the Hill
Baucus bill released: MTM in, public option out.
It may not be clear exactly what Congress will do about health care
reform (HCR), but one thing looks certain: Medication therapy management
(MTM) is in a very good position to be a part of anything that does
pass.
That’s the current consensus, following more than 30 visits on
Tuesday with key Senators, Representatives, and their staff members by
APhA leaders and state pharmacy association executives and today’s
release of an HCR bill by Sen. Max Baucus (D–MT) that includes the
concept. That makes it 5 for 5 for MTM: It’s in both Senate bills
and included or noted in all three versions in the House.
In all, 14 APhA Trustees, other leaders, and state execs trekked to
the Hill. The group had traveled to DC on their own time to visit with
legislators serving on the five key committees involved in HCR
discussions. As noted in APhA CEO Tom
Menighan’s blog, the pharmacists’ MTM messages were well
received, as were requests to address pricing formulas, durable medical
equipment accreditation requirement for surety bonds, and workforce
support, all issues important to the profession.
In the Baucus bill, MTM was named in a list of innovative models that
would be tested as part of HCR. Specifically, the chair of the Senate
Finance Committee envisioned the creation of an Innovation Center with
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This center would
conduct a 3-year pilot program that would look at transition services
designed to prevent rehospitalization, including medication review and
management and patient self-management when appropriate. If certain
quality and cost thresholds are met in the program, CMS would be able to
move forward with widespread implementation without further statutory
authority.
Sen. Baucus said that he will continue to negotiate with the
so-called Gang of Six that has been trying to hammer out a bipartisan
HCR approach. Despite his omission of the public option favored by
Democrats from the bill, Baucus has not garnered any Republican support
for the plan at this time. The bill will be considered by the full
Finance Committee starting next week.
Pharmacy leaders visiting Capitol Hill this week included the
following:
- Tery Baskin, Arkansas
- Ed Hamilton, Florida, APhA President
- Michael Jackson, Florida, State Association Executive Director
- Matt Osterhaus, Iowa, APhA Trustee
- Tom Temple, Iowa, State Association Executive Director
- Harold Godwin, Kansas, APhA Trustee
- Mike Larkin, Kansas, State Association Executive Director
- Howard Schiff, Maryland, State Association Executive Director
- Gary Kadlec, Michigan, APhA Treasurer
- Ernie Boyd, Ohio, State Association Executive Director
- Nancy Alvarez, Pennsylvania, APhA Trustee
- Pat Epple, Pennsylvania, State Association Executive Director
- Tim Tucker, Tennessee, APhA Past President
- Baeteena Black, Tennessee, State Association Executive Director
Related resources on www.pharmacist.com
Related resources on the Web:
L. Michael Posey, BPharm, (mposey)
Posted September 16, 2009, 6:00 PM EDT
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