APhA–PAC hosts Ohio’s Rep. Space
Local APhA-PAC governor focuses on health care reform.
 (L-R) Jim McInturf, Jr., Jeff
Pattison, BPharm, Rep. Zack Space (D-OH), Sherry Pattison, and John
Pattison, BPharmWith health care reform as the subject
of the hour, the American Pharmacists Association Political Action
Committee’s (APhA–PAC) Region IV Governor, John Pattison,
BPharm, on Monday evening hosted an event in honor of Representative
Zach Space (D–OH). Health care reform issues were discussed by 35
members of the health care community including pharmacists and
other professionals working in the health care field—such as
providers, marketing specialists, insurance representatives, and
administrators. Ernie Boyd, executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists
Association (OPA), politicians, and Rep. Space’s supporters also
attended.
Rep. Space spent more than 2 hours with the group, leading a general
question-and-answer session and participating in one-on-one discussions.
Rep. Space addressed the need for a working "medical home" model that
would include all of patients’ caregivers, including pharmacists.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between providers and
pharmacists, encouraging them to work together to enhance patient
health. He also placed heavy emphasis on preventive care, noting that
pharmacists offer essential services in the arenas of health screening
and disease management. Rep. Space reminded those assembled to reach out
to him and his staff with questions, concerns, and ideas regarding
health care reform. Brent Parrish, Rep. Space’s campaign manager,
called the event “a great success” and lauded APhA for its
contribution.
Rep. Space has shown himself to be a great friend to pharmacy in
recent months. A new member of the House Energy and Commerce Health
Subcommittee, he participated in an on-site pharmacy visit last year,
and he was the first member of Congress to introduce legislation which
exempted certain pharmacies from meeting the $50,000 Medicare surety
bond requirement (H.R. 1970) during this Congressional session.
Recently, along with Rep. Bruce Braley (D–IA), Rep. Space
introduced the Access to Front Line Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 2891).
This bill, which APhA has endorsed, would create a new loan repayment
program similar to the National Health Service Corps program.
Pharmacists would be eligible for this new program.
Pattinson urges APhA members and pharmacy advocates to be persistent
in contacting their local representatives. “Get involved, start
attending local fundraising events for local, state, and federal
politicians that are open to the public,” he advised.
The APhA–PAC’s mission is to support candidates for
Congress who have demonstrated strong support for pharmacists and the
patients they serve. Contributions to the APhA–PAC are voluntary
and must be made with personal funds. Only APhA members are eligible to
donate to the APhA–PAC. An 11-member Board of Governors oversees
the fundraising activities of the Committee. Based upon established
criteria (e.g., position on key health care committees, support for
pharmacy and its issues, or previous health care experience at the state
and local level), the Board decides who receives an APhA–PAC
contribution. The APhA–PAC Board consists of 8 Governors (one for
each geographical region in the U.S.), a chairman/treasurer, a liaison
to the APhA Board of Trustees, and an APhA–ASP student
representative.
Related resources on www.pharmacist.com
Beth Farnstrom (bfarnstrom)
Posted June 25, 2009, 12:00 pm EDT
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