WASHINGTON — The Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition, a group of more than 25 organizations representing patients, has released newspaper and radio advertisements calling for passage of the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act.
In late January, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act was introduced in both the U.S. House (H.R. 592) and Senate (S. 314), a critical first step in achieving provider status at the federal level.
If passed, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act would enable Medicare patients living in Medically Underserved communities to access important services that pharmacists can provide, including medication management, chronic disease management and preventative screenings.
PAPCC announced the initiative earlier this year, stating that it would run print and digital advertising in beltway media outlets over the course of the Congressional calendar.
“While the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (S. 314/H.R. 592) enjoys strong and growing bipartisan and bicameral support, we are expanding our efforts to promote the role that pharmacists can play in providing healthcare services to seniors,” stated Vince Ventimiglia, president of Leavitt Partners Collaborative Advocates and advisor to PAPCC, in announcing the initiative earlier this year. “Members of Congress and their staff know the benefit of having pharmacists as part of the healthcare team. Through this initiative, we intend to raise awareness about how pharmacists can help seniors in areas of the country where access to care can be challenging.”