In the Texas Legislature nothing is final until it’s final. So it’s too early to be sure, but thanks to your grassroots lobbying and the professional work of those in Austin who represent your profession, there is BREAKING NEWS from the Senate Subcommitte on Medicaid. An hour ago, these elected officials have agreed to decrease the proposed $2.00 reduction in the Medicaid pharmacy dispensing fee by $1. If it holds, some may call this a victory. But is it success? What about the matter of the other dollar? Clearly, there is more work to do! Check our latest ALERT from earlier today and thank the Senators for what has been done so far, but please keep up the pressure.
Joe DaSilva
Executive Director/CEO
Texas Pharmacy Association
Spending your days in just a job! Maybe!
March 15, 2011
For most people, it’s tough to go from day-to-day in what may feel like is just a job. But is being a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician really more than “just a job” to you? Is it more than a career that serves as an income source? I don’t know what your answer is. I don’t know if your public and private answers to these questions are the same. I do know this – a great majority of you and your colleagues are dedicated to this profession because it is a perfect combination of the COLD sciences and the WARM caring. Each individual you serve becomes your patient. Every pain and health challenge they experience becomes your challenge to help resolve. And at times, your kindness is more effective than the medicine you dispense.
Too ideal? Too Norman Rockwellish? Maybe. But is it what you wish it were? Maybe. Too much work to do? Too high of expectations placed on you? Maybe. So, is it more than a job or not? Is it still a healing profession for you? Is your passion still a part of your profession? Are you willing to give of yourself and your resources to protect it? To advance it? Maybe.
So many questions. Such few answers. But know this: TPA needs you, my friend, so that together we can find better answers. Maybe?
Joe DaSilva
Executive Director/CEO
Texas Pharmacy Association
Ready! Set! Act!
March 8, 2011
You already know that TPA has more staff expertise and experience in the advocacy arena during this legislative session than ever before. It now is critical that you also become a member of TPA’s new public affairs team!
As you read in the TPA “News from the Dome RxAlert“ dated March 7, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid has proposed an additional $2 cut in the Medicaid/ CHIP pharmacy dispensing fee. This move follows the two separate 1% cuts recently implemented by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) that reduced the original $7.50 fee to $7.35. The legislative proposal would result in a total reduction of 41.4% in the dispensing fee since August 2010. Clearly, the cumulative impact of these cuts is devastating!
Yes, the state has a $28 million dollar budget deficit. And yes, Medicaid is a very large portion of that amount. But a 41.4% reduction for pharmacy? Four times the rate of reduction for other health care providers? NO WAY! Time to show the power of Pharmacy and your personal commitment to being able to help all your patients.
Click here for the TPA RxAlert to view the list of key legislators that need to hear your strong opposition to the proposed $2.00 cut. PLEASE, you must ACT NOW!
Joe DaSilva
Executive Director/CEO
Texas Pharmacy Association
