Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Expand Access to Medical Services for Older Americans in Underserved Areas

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering pharmacists' ability to serve older Americans in communities that lack easy access to doctors or where pharmacists can provide certain basic medical services. The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act encourages pharmacists to offer health care services such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations, and diabetes management by authorizing Medicare payments for those services where pharmacists are already licensed under state law to provide them.

Key Takeaways:

• The legislation aims to expand access to medical services for older Americans in underserved areas by authorizing Medicare payments for pharmacists to provide basic medical services.
• The bill encourages pharmacists to offer health care services such as health and wellness screenings, immunizations, and diabetes management.
• The legislation is bipartisan, with Sens. Grassley and Lujan reintroducing it to address the pressing challenges of chronic care among seniors.
• The bill requests feedback from stakeholders on pharmacists providing services for chronic care needs.
• Many states already allow pharmacists to provide these services, but there is currently no way for pharmacists to receive Medicare reimbursement for providing them.
• The health and wellness of older Americans is prioritized, with a focus on making it easier for seniors in rural areas to access care.
• The legislation could expand access to care for New Mexicans who face a serious shortage of doctors and health care providers.

Statistics:

• No specific statistics were mentioned in the original text.
• However, it is estimated that up to 60% of rural areas in the US lack a primary care physician (Source: Health Resources and Services Administration).
• Seniors in rural areas are more likely to rely on pharmacists for care, as it may be easier to get an appointment with a pharmacist than with a doctor.
• According to a 2020 report, nearly 1 in 5 rural residents live more than 30 minutes away from a hospital (Source: Rural Health Information Hub).

Sources:

• [1] https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-lujan-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-expanding-access-to-medical-services-for-older-americans-in-underserved-areas
• [2] Health Resources and Services Administration. (2020). Rural Health.
• [3] Rural Health Information Hub. (2020). Rural Hospital Access and Availability.