Just My Thoughts

Why have a Leadership Symposium?

Joe DaSilva — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:58:15 +0000

I have been asked this question a few times. Well, there are two reasons – member development and coordination of efforts. Notice that I didn’t say that “continuing education” was a reason. The CE part is just an additional benefit to attendees.

Reason #1 is more critical. Member (note that it’s singular) development is important to the future of pharmacy. YOU need to know what is happening to the profession, why it is happening and what YOU can do about it. The knowledge you will gain will strengthen your resolve and ability to protect your profession and your patients. And pretty much, that’s the spring meeting!

Does it really matter if you attend? Trust me — it does! This is a part of YOUR job. Being EFFECTIVELY involved in public policy is integral to your profession.

You may not like the political process, but it directly affects you every day. And it is impacting your profession more and more in areas such as license requirements, relationships with patients, the move to Medicaid Managed Care in March, audit and other insurance reimbursement challenges, pending mail order pharmacy mergers, record-keeping demands and mandated pharmacy procedures. These issues have resulted in growing financial pressures on the profession and have placed Texas pharmacy at a critical crossroads.

Reason #2 is less important. The various Association governance meetings that take place during the summer conference are being moved to this meeting for greater efficiency for members and staff. Hopefully, in 2013, the House of Delegates annual meeting and the installation of officers will move to this Leadership Symposium. These changes allow the Conference and its attendees to focus on continuing education and exhibits.

So, please join your fellow pharmacy leaders on March 23 and 24 for the TPA Spring Leadership Symposium in Austin. I promise that it will not be just another meeting! You’ll hear leaders from NACDS and the State, including Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, members of the Texas House Representatives and the Senate, Tom Suehs, executive commissioner of the Texas Health Facilities Commission, Texas Attorney General Greg Abott and experts in the field of politics and grassroots involvement.

Pharmacy needs you to be there. For more information go online to www.RXPERT.ORG.

More to come . . .

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

He’s Back . . . .

Joe DaSilva — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:03:32 +0000

Well, a new year starts and “Just My Thoughts” returns!

You have been enjoying a seven month sabbatical from my BLOG until now. One of my resolutions is to routinely communicate with you and one of my measures to do so is to have 3-4 posts each month. If you add your name as a follower, you will be notified when something new is posted.

This first entry of 2012 is a sentiment I came across recently. Since the author is anonymous, I made a number of changes so that the words better convey my thoughts. It is shared as my sincere wish for you.

May 2012 bring each of you

Warmth of love and comfort of home,

The joy of children and support of family and friends,

A patient attitude to accept others equally,

A caring heart that practices respect and compassion,

Enrichment of knowledge and richness of diversity,

Courage to seek and speak the truth even when standing alone,

A healing hand for the patients you serve,

A light to guide your path,

Resolve to strengthen unity,

Serenity, peace and balance,

Food for thought,

A hand to hold, and

An abundance of smiles.

May You have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

More to come . . .

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

The Rodeo is Coming to Town!

Joe DaSilva — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:52:27 +0000

In four weeks, the 2011 Rxpert Conference and Expo will be history. But it’s not too late to be a part of this TPA rodeo in Ft. Worth. Yep, we all are gonna be in Cowtown on June 23-35. There’ll be lot’sa learnin’ and lot’sa fun and lot’sa yappin’ with your podners! I sure hope that you can join us. And whether it’s your first rodeo or not, please find me and tell me what you need from your professional organization ’cause we’re not from the government but we ARE here to he’p!

Click here to learn more and see you in Ft. Worth!

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

Ditto to what he said!

Joe DaSilva — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:58:47 +0000

A few days ago, TPA’s president, Dennis Song, submitted an article for his column on our website. He titled it “A New TPA” and shared some of his perspectives about the future of this organization. But wait a minute! Haven’t you heard the “new TPA” phrase before? Probably. Haven’t you seen a few changes here and there regarding the “new TPA” during the past year? Probably. What about the last few decades? Probably. So what is different this time? What truly makes it “A New TPA” for you?

Obviously the answers in the past as well as today’s answers are different for different people. Change per se does not make the organization “new.” Heck, there have been a number (or as the new generation often states, a “ton”) of changes since I arrived at TPA less than two years ago. Cumulatively, I packaged them to indicate “the new TPA.” But was it really? To some yes, to most no.

What Dennis is talking about is different! It’s not a slight remodeling. It’s brand new construction. It really is A New TPA - a TPA that will address today’s changing organizational needs and structures; and most importantly, better address the changing needs and make-up of the pharmacy profession in Texas.

Many of the details still are under development, but most will be shared at Conference, and later this year, submitted to the House of Delegates for approval. I am confident that it will be an exciting leap forward for many of you.

More to come . . .

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

Thanks, Chuck!

Joe DaSilva — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:04:23 +0000

It has been a few weeks since we last spoke and there continues to be tough times for TPA. I know that many of you are experiencing some hardships too. On Monday of this week, I began implementing several undesirable but critically needed measures to reduce the Association’s expenses and improve our financial stability. One of those changes was elimination of the staff position of senior director of communications. Chuck Waters had served in that position for nearly four years. He did an outstanding job and delivered outstanding work products. I publicly thank him for his dedication and commitment to the Association and the profession of pharmacy. I know that along with me, you wish him well.

More to come . . .

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

Another day, another Dollar. The dispensing fee reduction is reduced!

Joe DaSilva — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:30:36 +0000

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!

Joe DaSilva — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:25:27 +0000

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!

Joe DaSilva — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:36:42 +0000

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

Why be a Member?

Joe DaSilva — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:07:04 +0000

I recently sent an e-mail to TPA members who have not renewed their membership and asked “why?” This simple, direct question not only has resulted in a number of renewals – which is good - but it also has provided me with needed feedback – which is great. Their comments have helped me understand the many “why’s” and “what’s” that have derailed their interest in membership – why they have not renewed and what they want from the Association. However, my opportunity to learn should be broader than just asking non-members; so I am including some excerpts from my email because I need your feedback too.

By now, you may be tired of hearing from me and TPA. Yes, I am well aware that during the past three months, we have contacted you several times about your expiring membership and even sent you a brief survey prior to a final cancellation. But, still, no response. Maybe you don’t see enough value in membership or the dues are higher than you are willing to pay. Maybe your professional needs haven’t been met in the past or maybe our decisions and actions have not been what you wanted. Or maybe you just have been too busy to think about it. Regardless of the reason, TPA and I sure would benefit from your input.

You know, TPA is not here only for its members or to help the membership with their daily challenges. It exists and has existed for more than 130 years for your profession. What you do and the fact that you are even involved in pharmacy is due to the work of those who have preceded you – those leaders and members that through this Association guided your profession to what it is today. Texas pharmacists needed an effective organization to protect and advance their profession. They still do. Please know that tomorrow TPA could be stronger, more influential and more representative. But this will not happen without you and others joining the effort.

Hopefully, you know that TPA has been working very hard during the past year to strengthen its focus on core professional needs, lead advocacy efforts in the public policy arena, increase the value of membership and build the kind of Association that makes a real difference in your professional life. Yet, I must assume that we are not saying or doing the right things for you. How can you and many of your colleagues be convinced that $295 in TPA dues – less than $1 per day – is an important investment in yourself and your profession . . . . . I cannot understand why less than 9% of the pharmacists in Texas realize that this organization is critical to their profession. This is not an issue of where they work or what’s in it for them. It is about the profession, their profession, your profession! It’s about what each of you have sacrificed so much to become and to be able to do. If the foundation of the profession is not strong, the structure will weaken and so will the profession.

If you don’t believe that it’s worth less than $1 dollar a day to strengthen your profession and enhance your future, so be it! No need to join. No need to respond. But if you do, then please let me know what can be done to show you more value. Tell me how we can work together to make TPA what you need it to be. Let’s talk.

I encourage you to give me feedback. If you prefer to not place your comments on this BLOG, please email me at jdasilva@texaspharmacy.org

Joe DaSilva

Executive Director/CEO
Texas Pharmacy Association

Ominous Challenges in the Legislature.

Joe DaSilva — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:16:10 +0000

It again has been too long since I shared my thoughts with you in this blog. And now that I do, I’m only confirming the sobering news you have been receiving for awhile through TPA’s News from the Dome newsletter.

You have charged TPA with protecting and advancing the profession. Unfortunately, the legislative session is getting “seriouser” by the moment and tougher to “protect” pharmacy. The state faces a crushing deficit of up to $27 billion and drastic actions will be taken to address the shortfall. State health-care costs are more than 20% of the budget, so health care is one of the biggest targets! As much as all of us would like to prevent it, it is a virtual certainty that Medicaid reimbursement to pharmacies will be cut MORE as the result of legislation and policy proposals that are currently under consideration.

The state already has implemented two separate 1% Medicaid dispensing fee reductions and recently, a proposed additional $1 reduction in the fees has surfaced. Other public policy decisions could further lower dispensing fees, “carve-in” the Medicaid vendor drug program into managed care or implement other financially destructive ideas. Obviously, there will be more discussion but when the time is right, TPA and our pharmacy friends will launch a strong grassroots campaign to clearly communicate the impact of pending policy decisions on our patients and businesses and forcefully voice our opposition. In the meantime, TPA has been working hard to prove the value of pharmacy services to key leaders by meeting with HHSC and legislators to propose a variety of cost-cutting alternatives that would save the state more with less damage to pharmacy revenue.

Please keep-up with our ongoing legislative battles through the newsletter. It’s e-mailed to you every week and can be accessed accessed here. Stay tuned!

And on a related note, don’t forget to register for our 2011 Conference & Expo by March 15 to capture the best rates. We’ll have a highly critical legislative panel discussion to wrap up what happened in the current session and get the expert insights of our three pharmacist legislators!

Joe DaSilva

Executive Director/CEO
Texas Pharmacy Association