National LTC Pharmacy Advocacy Group: Capping Seniors’ Out of Pocket Costs as Low as Possible Remains Key Drug Pricing Reform Objective
Washington, DC – With media attention increasingly focused upon the “inflationary rebate” facet of the Senate Finance Committee’s Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 2543), the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) today said capping Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs as low as possible remains a top long-term care (LTC) pharmacy advocacy priority.
“Capping Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs at the lowest possible rate is all about maximizing seniors’ ability to pay for the drugs they require to stay healthy,” said Alan G. Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC, the only national advocacy group dedicated exclusively to representing the legislative and regulatory interests of LTC pharmacies and their elderly patients.
“Following their doctor-prescribed medication regimen should not be just an option — it must be a necessity — and relates not just to quality of life but avoiding costly, burdensome re-hospitalizations,” Rosenbloom continued.
Rosenbloom praised the lower beneficiary out-of-pocket costs contained in the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) vis a vis S. 2543 but suggested there was room for continued negotiation in the weeks ahead.
“The inflation rebate discussion has taken center stage of late, but we will continue to focus attention on the human element of drug pricing reform, and the moral imperative of ensuring America’s seniors don’t have to forego medications simply to afford food,” Rosenbloom concluded.
####
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) is the only national organization exclusively representing the interests of LTC pharmacies. Its members operate in all 50 states and serve 850,000 patients daily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the country. Visit seniorcarepharmacies.org to learn more.
Recent Posts
-
Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition and ATI Advisory Share New Analysis of Medicare Beneficiaries Demonstrating Common Long-Term Care Needs Across Settings
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) and ATI Advisory (ATI) have released a new analysis finding that 75% of Medicare beneficiaries who need long-term care (LTC) live in the community, while only 25% live in nursing homes or assisted living communities. Nearly 60% of the community-dwelling population with LTC needs also have four or more chronic conditions and fill 10 or more prescription medications a year.
-
Check out SCPC CEO Alan Rosenbloom on the Pharmacy Podcast Network’s “PBM Reform Podcast”
SCPC President and CEO Alan Rosenbloom speaks with the Pharmacy Podcast Network the importance of advocating for PBM reform, the status of the LTC Pharmacy Definition Act, LTC Pharmacy at-home, drug pricing legislation and its implications for LTC Pharmacy, and more.
-
SCPC Applauds House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer for Launching Investigation into PBM Practices
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), the only Washington-based organization exclusively representing the interests of long-term care (LTC) pharmacies, applauds House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) for launching an investigation into pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their tactics that are harming patient care and increasing costs for many patients.
Stay in the Know
Get the latest news and updates on issues impacting the long-term pharmacy community.