SCPC Applauds Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Calling for Critical Changes to Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), the leading national voice for the long-term care (LTC) pharmacy community, released the following statement commending Chairman Buddy Carter, Rep. Jake Auchincloss and other Members of Congress for urging HHS and CMS to examine the looming impact of Medicare drug price negotiations on America’s pharmacies.
“Implementing the current Medicare drug price negotiation program without critically needed reforms will have serious consequences on all types of pharmacies and the millions of patients they serve across the country. Many long-term care (LTC) pharmacies in particular, which provide essential and legally required services to patients in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, are at extreme risk given the acute impact the new drug pricing program will have on the way they operate.
“SCPC applauds the recent Congressional letter, led by House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Buddy Carter and Rep. Jake Auchincloss, urging leadership at HHS and CMS to quickly address the far-reaching unintended impacts of Medicare drug price negotiations. We further commend this bipartisan group of 26 lawmakers for recognizing the need to consider the impact on all types of pharmacies, including LTC pharmacies. As the Congressional letter correctly notes, the delay in manufacturer true-up payments is of particular concern for LTC pharmacies given their heavy reliance on Medicare Part D, the large volume of MFP drugs they dispense to their unique patient population, and the fact that they do not benefit from the sale of consumer goods to supplement their revenue like retail and community pharmacies.
“We encourage the Trump Administration, including leaders at HHS and CMS, to consider the important recommendations included in this letter along with the pleas of the LTC pharmacy sector and quickly enact critical reforms prior to the implementation of the Medicare drug price negotiation program in January 2026. As clearly evidenced in a recent SCPC member survey, more than half of LTC pharmacies may be forced to close locations unless significant problems with the program are quickly addressed,” said Alan Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC.
###
Recent Posts
-
Pharmacy Community Stands Together to Protect Seniors and Prevent a Long-Term Care Crisis
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), representing the nation’s long-term care pharmacies, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), representing pharmacists and pharmacies dedicated to managing medications for older adults and medically complex patients, and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), representing community pharmacists nationwide, stand united in support of immediate action—whether through legislation or […]
-
Rep. Beth Van Duyne: Congress can save seniors’ access to medications before it’s too late
Seniors in nursing homes across the country depend on round-the-clock care and medications, perhaps more than any other American patient population. In turn, the nursing homes and assisted living facilities that care for them depend on a small number of specialized long-term care (LTC) pharmacies to ensure their patients have access to the prescription meds they need.
-
Bill Aims to Offset Reimbursement Losses for Long-Term Care Pharmacies Catering to Nursing Homes
Starting in January, falling prices for costly drugs may strain long-term care pharmacies, but proposed legislation backed by advocacy groups aims to subsidize some of this loss. And nursing home advocacy groups are among those urging Congress to pass the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act.
Stay in the Know
Get the latest news and updates on issues impacting the long-term pharmacy community.