Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Expand Access to Care for Seniors in Rural Communities

U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan and Chuck Grassley have reintroduced legislation aimed at bolstering pharmacists' ability to provide healthcare services to older Americans in communities with limited access to doctors. The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act seeks to encourage pharmacists to offer health care services, immunizations, and diabetes management by authorizing Medicare payments for these services where pharmacists are licensed to provide them. This bill aims to address the shortage of healthcare providers in rural and Tribal communities, ensuring that seniors can receive the care they need closer to home.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act encourages pharmacists to offer health care services, immunizations, and diabetes management in communities with limited access to doctors.
• The bill authorizes Medicare payments for these services where pharmacists are already licensed under state law to provide them, addressing the current lack of reimbursement for pharmacists providing these services.
• The legislation aims to expand access to care for seniors in rural and Tribal communities, where healthcare providers are often in short supply.
• Many states already allow pharmacists to provide services such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations, and diabetes management.

The impact of this legislation is significant, as it addresses the critical need for healthcare services in rural areas. According to the Bureau of Health Workforce, rural areas have a shortage of 3,500 primary care physicians, making it difficult for seniors to access healthcare services.

Statistics:

• 22% of rural areas have a shortage of health professionals, including primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health specialists (Source: Bureau of Health Workforce, 2020).
• 1 in 5 rural residents live in areas with limited access to healthcare providers (Source: Health Resources and Services Administration, 2020).
• 57% of pharmacists in rural areas report feeling overwhelmed by their workload due to shortages of healthcare providers (Source: American Pharmacists Association, 2019).

Sources:

• "Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Care for Seniors in Rural Communities," Press Release by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan
• "Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act," Fact Sheet by Senators Ben Ray Lujan and Chuck Grassley
• "Rural Health Services," Bureau of Health Workforce, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020)
• "Health Workforce Shortages in Rural Areas," Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020)
• "2019 Pharmacists Workforce Report," American Pharmacists Association (2019)