SCPC Applauds Introduction of Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act (H.R. 5031) to Ensure Seniors’ Access to Essential Meds and Pharmacy Services

DATE: August 27, 2025

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) File Legislation to Save Senior Rx Access

Washington, D.C. (August 27, 2025) — The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), the leading voice for the nation’s long-term care (LTC) pharmacy community, applauds Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), along with cosponsors Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA-1), Brian Jack (R-GA-3), Sharice Davids (D-KS-3), and Deborah Ross (D-NC-2), on the introduction of H.R. 5031, the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act. This legislation is critical for ensuring that the more than two million seniors and others in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country retain access to essential medications and LTC pharmacy services.   

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) inadvertently and uniquely impacts reimbursement for LTC pharmacies that provide essential and required pharmacy services to our nation’s most vulnerable patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. Rep. Van Duyne and Rep. Schneider’s bill protects patients and fills the reimbursement gap that will occur when Medicare Part D drug negotiation goes into effect next year. 

“SCPC’s 400 plus pharmacy members and the millions of patients we serve across the country stand in support of H.R. 5031, which aims to provide a critical LTC Pharmacy Fix before many pharmacies are forced to close their doors in 2026. We commend Rep. Van Duyne and Rep. Schneider for stepping up to address a problem LTC pharmacies urgently need to solve to protect essential LTC care and services, like medication management, 24/7 support, emergency delivery, and care coordination,” said Alan Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC.  

H.R.5031 would create a new supply fee to ensure continued access to the government-mandated services LTC pharmacies provide to patients in long-term care when new Medicare negotiated prices on certain drugs (MFP) take effect on January 1, 2026. The new $30 LTC pharmacy supply fee would only apply to MFP drugs dispensed by LTC pharmacies, ensuring seniors maintain access to their lifesaving medications and LTC pharmacies receive sustainable reimbursements for their essential and specialized services.  

If this bill is not passed before the end of 2025, many LTC pharmacies, and particularly smaller operations in rural and underserved communities, will be forced to close their doors. The downstream ramifications will be severe as nursing homes will lose access to government-required pharmacy services, jeopardizing senior care in communities across the country.   

“Long-term care pharmacies are a lifeline for millions of seniors and their families,” said Rep. Van Duyne.  “If we fail to act before January 1, 2026, many of these pharmacies will be forced to close their doors, leaving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and vulnerable patients without the care they rely on. The Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act provides a critical fix now, before a crisis hits, so seniors can continue to access the safe, reliable pharmacy services they deserve.” 

 “Long term care pharmacies ensure patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other care facilities can reliably receive essential medications, right where they receive their care,” said Rep. Brad Schneider. “I’m pleased to join my colleague Rep. Van Duyne in introducing this legislation which will enable LTC pharmacies to keep their doors open and continue to provide seniors and patients with the medication and services they need, without interruption.” 

LTC pharmacies predominately serve Medicare Part D beneficiaries, accounting for more than 80% of their business on average. They play a unique role in caring for millions of vulnerable seniors who need specialized, round-the-clock services to address multiple chronic health conditions and impairments. The average LTC pharmacy patient is on 13 different prescription medications, requiring significant care management.  

This reliance on Medicare Part D, coupled with LTC pharmacy patients relying heavily on 8 of first 10 drugs subject to Medicare negotiated prices, is why Congressional action is desperately needed to address the unintended consequences of this new drug pricing policy. Groups like the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) agree and are working alongside SCPC to ensure that the H.R. 5031 is passed by the end of this year.  

Full bill text is available here.  A link to Rep. Beth Van Duyne’s press release is available here.   

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