ASHP Applauds Introduction of Bill That Recognizes Pharmacists as Providers

PRESS RELEASE

3/11/2014-- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) strongly supports H.R. 4190, introduced today by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.). The legislation will amend the Social Security Act to recognize pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B. This change will help address gaps in our nation’s health care system by increasing access to pharmacists’ services for patients who live in medically underserved communities.

Pharmacists have comprehensive and unique education and training in the use of medications to treat, manage, and prevent diseases. “This bill will make a tremendous difference to patients needing additional access to the critical health care services that pharmacists provide,” said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D. (Hon.), FASHP. “There is a significant body of evidence showing that pharmacists contribute to improved health outcomes, enhanced patient satisfaction, and lower health care costs when they are part of the health care team.”

H.R. 4190 will recognize licensed pharmacists working within their state pharmacy practice acts to deliver care for patients in federally defined medically underserved communities. The legislation also establishes a mechanism to pay for pharmacist provider services as a percentage of the current physician fee schedule, or pursuant to pharmacist specific codes as part of that schedule.

"The ASHP Board of Directors made achieving provider status the Society's top priority in our strategic plan, and we are extremely pleased to see that patients are one step closer to having the access they deserve to the patient care services of pharmacists," said ASHP President Gerald E. Meyer, Pharm.D., M.B.A., FASHP. "It is heartening to see that our elected officials in Washington appreciate the value pharmacists can bring as patient care providers, and we look forward to seeing this bill get passed and signed into law.

ASHP is a member of the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition, a group of more than 20 organizations representing patients, pharmacists, and pharmacies, as well as other interested stakeholders, which is leading efforts to garner support for the bill.

“ASHP applauds the bill’s sponsors and looks forward to working with members of Congress and other stakeholders in enacting legislation that will recognize pharmacists in all care settings, including hospitals, health systems, and clinics, to provide these services to this critical patient population,” said Abramowitz.