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33: It's More than Just a Number

By Joseph Hill posted 08-24-2015 09:11

  
The number 33 is on my mind. And not just because it figures prominently in the local lore of my native Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where we’re baffled by the 33 that appears on every bottle of Rolling Rock beer and get excited about the annual Big 33 football game featuring the best high school players in the state. I’m thinking of 33 because that’s the number of cosponsors we need for our provider status bill in the House, H.R. 592, to reach the magic number of 218, a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Reaching 218 is a milestone but not the end zone. Getting this level of support means that a majority of House members view this bill favorably and would likely vote for it on the House floor. But there is still work for us to do. We must work on the Senate side to gain support, lobby the committee chairs and ranking members get the bills considered by the committees of jurisdiction, and the Congressional Budget Office must issue a “score” that addresses the legislation’s costs to the Medicare program.

Now is the time for every ASHP member in every state to take action. Members of Congress are in their districts for the next 5 weeks to meet with constituents, hear concerns from the “folks back home,” and reconnect with the electorate. There is no better time to generate a buzz about this legislation as we head into the fall and come closer to the goal of 218 cosponsors.

So, how do we get there? Here’s a simple first step: Send an email to your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the bill. Tell them how the training you received in your six years of schooling has prepared you for a role in patient care and how the bills will increase access to care in medically underserved areas. Describe how the services provided by pharmacists help to achieve greater cost savings and improve the lives of our nation’s seniors.

We’ve done a lot of the work for you. Simply go to our online advocacy center and personalize the email with examples from your practice that demonstrate the value you bring to the healthcare team. If your member of Congress is not a sponsor, our online tool will automatically send an emailing asking him or her to sign on in support of the bill. If they are a cosponsor, they will receive an email thanking them for their support. You can check our website to see if the congressional representatives in your state are cosponsors.

If you want to take the next step, include a request to meet with your representatives and their aides in their local offices. Our Political Activity Toolkit has a step-by-step guide for setting up your meeting.

Reaching 218 cosponsors represents a turning point in our campaign, one that now has momentum on our side. What once seemed insurmountable is actually possible. This would be huge! Please commit to take the next step—sending an email, setting up an office meeting, or hosting a site visit—to help us line up those 33 new cosponsors by the end of August.
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09-18-2015 12:47

Dear Friend:
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your views with me. Your comments will help me continue to represent you and other Californians to the best of my ability. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers legislation on this or similar issues.
If you would like additional information about my work in the U.S. Senate, I invite you to visit my website, www.boxer.senate.gov. From this site, you can send a message to me about current events or pending legislation, access my statements and press releases, request copies of legislation and government reports, and receive detailed information about the many services that I am privileged to provide for my constituents. You may also wish to visit www.congress.gov to track current and past federal legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

09-11-2015 16:59

Dear Bill:

Thank you for your letter regarding Medicare coverage of pharmacist services. I appreciate hearing from you, and welcome the opportunity to respond.

I appreciate the medical expertise and care that pharmacists can provide. I understand that pharmacists can play an important role in advising patients and administering care, particularly in underserved communities where healthcare services may be difficult to access.

I understand that you support the "Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act" (S. 314), which was introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on January 29, 2015. As you may know, this legislation would recognize pharmacists in medically underserved communities as health care providers under Medicare Part B, allowing them to receive reimbursement for services covered by Medicare.

This legislation is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Committee on Finance, of which I am not a member. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind should I have the opportunity to consider this bill as a member of the full Senate.

Once again, thank you for writing. I appreciate knowing of your concerns, and hope you will continue to inform me of matters of importance to you. Should you have any further comments or concerns, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

08-24-2015 13:44

Thanks for getting the word out and making it so easy for the membership to contact their representatives. Fellow pharmacists please take the next three minutes to click on the above link and send out three letters today (2 Senators and 1 House of Representative). These automatic messages may just be a tick mark on a spreadsheet but it helps to raise awareness. Don't stand on the sideline and wait for someone else to advocate for your chosen profession.