NACDS' grassroots advocacy program implemented during congressional work period
ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores issued an NACDS RxImpact Action Alert to drive home to members of Congress the value of pharmacy in the healthcare debate.
The initiative is designed to communicate with members of Congress who are back in their district and state offices during the current district work period.
NACDS RxImpact was launched in February as a grassroots advocacy resource for NACDS members, but also sought to engage pharmacy students, and other pharmacy advocates who will help “Take a Stand for Better Healthcare.”
This week, NACDS provided NACDS members and pharmacy advocates with talking points, draft letters, contact information and listings of congressional town hall meetings to highlight three main points: the value of pharmacy, medication therapy management in Medicare Part D and urging fair Medicaid payments.
“Pharmacy is the face of neighborhood health care and we have an important role in the ongoing healthcare reform debate,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “NACDS RxImpact provides pharmacy advocates the tools and resources to reach out to their elected officials to communicate the value of pharmacy in keeping healthcare costs down and its impact on the healthcare delivery system.”
Incorporating pharmacy into the healthcare reform debate will help ensure continued access to pharmacy services. By recognizing pharmacy’s role in health care we improve patient care as well as advance pharmacy goals like creating a uniform definition for MTM and securing equitable reimbursement rates for cost-effective prescription drugs and medication.
“Our greatest strength as an industry lies with our community pharmacists,” Anderson said. “Grassroots activism on important issues such as healthcare reform, MTM, and reimbursement rates can help further the debate in Washington, DC. Pharmacists are on the front line of healthcare reform and they are an invaluable resource for policymakers and patients alike.”
NACDS will hold its first NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill on June 16-17, 2009. The two-day program will help foster interaction with lawmakers through meetings and presentations. To learn more, please visit: http://www.nacds.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=6245.