1. HR 5780
    Support Page
  2. http://www.phpr.purdue.edu/~hooktv/asthma/
  3. Last Updated 04-16-08

    4. Much of the information on this page was borrowed from a web site prepared by Matthew M. Murawski, R.Ph., Ph.D. at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University. His web site has additional information. There is a discussion of the importance of this legislation for students and talking points for pharmacists and students.

    To see Matt’s web site and access the talking points, click HERE.

    Matt, Thank you for creating such a wonderful resource!

  4. The purpose of this page is to provide support for legislation before the 110th Congress, H. R. 5780, perhaps the most important
    bill impacting Pharmacy since Title 19 created Medicaid and third party payment for prescriptions. H. R. 5780 would allow pharmacists to bill Medicare as mid-level providers when providing care to Medicare patients.
  6. To get current information on the status of Congresswoman Wilson's bill, visit the Library of Congress "Thomas" web page by clicking HERE

    7. To see the Press Release from Congresswoman Wilson’s Office, click HERE

  7. The full text of the bill can be read by clicking HERE
  9. To download a MS-word file with a suggested letter you can send to your federal Representative to urge them to support this bill, click HERE

    10. To see the New Mexico Pharmacist Clinician history Continuing Education Program, click HERE

      This education program was developed in 2002-03 to provide history and background on the New Mexico Pharmacist Clinician. We make some comparisons to historical trends in England, etc. It takes about an hour and will give information regarding the development and some barriers to creation of this program.

      Any state Pharmacy Association executives, or national association staff, that take the program need not pay the fee!

    Aren't sure who your Representative is?

    • Click HERE to go to the U.S. National Atlas web-page.
    • CLick on "110th Congressional Districts" under the heading "Boundaries" on the right side of the page.
    • Click on the map until you know you are looking at the area of your legal residence (the map will zoom in each time you left click)
    • Left click the small button on the top of the map that says "Identify"
    • Now click on the area of your residence again.
    • A list of your Senators and Representative will appear in a pop-up labeled "Identify Results"
    • If you click on your Representatives name, you will go to the Representatives own web-page where you can get a mail address and/or e-mail address or even phone number.
  11. Just want to copy and paste the text?
  12. Here it is:
  14. Dear Representative XXXXXXX;
  15. I am writing you to ask you to support HR 5780. The bill is sponsored by Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM). This bill will give pharmacists, who are working with a physician to deliver patient care, the ability to bill Medicare Part B for services as a mid-level provider. The pharmacists must have collaborative practice agreements and comply with requirements set by their own state pharmacy board.
  17. Given the aging of our population, the increasing cost of healthcare and provider shortages, this is crucial legislation for America's future. An increasingly larger percentage of the US population are seniors, and the medications they take and how they take them is getting more complicated.
  19. At the same time, many of our "baby boomer" primary care physicians are retiring and few current medical students are choosing to enter into primary care careers. There is a growing gap between the health care people (especially older people) need, and the number of doctors who can provide that care. And this problem gets even worse in our rural areas.
  21. In a time of growing stress on the health care system, pharmacists remain the most accessible and under utilized health care professional. Pharmacists are very well equipped to help fill the gap created by the dwindling number of medical providers.
  23. HR 5780 allows pharmacists, who have met state-determined requirements and who are engaged in a collaborative form of practice with a physician, to bill Medicare part B for their services. Pharmacists want to provide care to their patients. Physicians want help with the workload. Most importantly, patients want more time with their pharmacist, and the best care possible from the health care system.
  25. HR 5780 provides the mechanism by which this can occur. It provides an affordable and necessary funding mechanism to allow states, where additional providers are needed, to put pharmacists in a position to help patients have healthy, productive and longer lives.
  27. This is a law that is truly positive for health care in our state and our country. As one of your constituents, I urge you to support this bill. I want the option of being able to see my pharmacist for care in my golden years!
  29. Sincerely,
  30. Your Name

    31. If you have any questions regarding this Legislation contact: daletinker@cs.com