SCPC Applauds Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Calling for Critical Changes to Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

DATE: May 6, 2025

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.

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