NACDS urges administration, Congress for funding to sustain equity-driven COVID-19 response
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is continuing to urge collaboration across the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress to help ensure the allocation of funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration Uninsured Program, Coverage Assistance Fund Program, testing programs and other essential COVID-19 care programs for COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment.
The expiration of funding for these vital initiatives — which promote equitable vaccination, testing and treatment access for the public, including vulnerable, uninsured populations — undermines Americans’ uninterrupted access to critically needed care, NACDS said.
[Read more: NACDS report highlights role local pharmacies, pharmacists play in patient-centered services]
The New York Times, ABC News and Fortune recently quoted NACDS on the issue, underscoring its message that inaction at this pivotal time could set the nation back, leave the nation less prepared and cost the nation more lives.
NACDS in The New York Times:
“‘[The expiration of funding for COVID-19 programs] places healthcare providers in an extremely tenuous position,’ [NACDS] wrote in a recent letter to the White House and congressional leaders.”
“Cutting off funding ‘could create extreme confusion at the pharmacy counter,’ the letter said, and ‘could result in the tragedy of increasing disparities in access to critically needed care and patients forgoing care.”
NACDS in ABC News:
”Any premature lapse in funding that splinters care access threatens to disintegrate the robust, equity-driven COVID-19 pandemic response that has so far saved more than a million lives,’ NACDS wrote in recent letters to the White House as well as Senate and House leadership.”
"With funding for the uninsured expired, the support structure to provide equitable access to COVID-19 testing and treatment is ‘in imminent jeopardy,’ [NACDS] wrote, warning the funding cut ‘could create extreme confusion at the pharmacy counter’ and ‘result in the tragedy of increasing disparities in access to critically needed care and patients forgoing care.”
NACDS in Fortune:
“[NACDS] has been pushing for the government to pass legislation that dedicates more aid to COVID, writing letters to both the White House and Congress.”
"Any premature lapse in funding that splinters care access threatens to disintegrate the robust, equity-driven COVID-19 pandemic response that has so far saved more than a million lives,’ the advocacy group wrote in recent letters to the Biden administration and Congress.”
[Read more: NACDS, Johns Hopkins report: pharmacies play a vital role in achieving health equity]