Support for Main Street Pharmacy Access Act: Enhancing Medicare Services
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has expressed support for the House Ways & Means Committee's decision to advance the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164) to the House floor. This pivotal bill proposes the recognition of pharmacists as providers under the Social Security Act, thus enabling them to offer infectious disease testing and treatment services to Medicare beneficiaries, contingent on state law permissions.
Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, and CEO of ASCP, emphasized that this legislation could significantly enhance public health by expanding access to pharmacist-led services, essential for maintaining the health of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Currently, the inability of pharmacists to be recognized as providers under the Social Security Act limits access, despite state laws allowing these services for Medicare beneficiaries.
Sue Peschin, President & CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, highlighted the discrepancy in access to pharmacist-provided services for seniors under Medicare compared to those with commercial insurance and Medicaid. The CDC reported only 61% of nursing home residents received a flu vaccine in the 2024-25 season, underscoring the need to address these access barriers.
Expanding Medicare Benefits and Legislative Support
H.R. 3164 aims to resolve these constraints by allowing pharmacists to be reimbursed at 80% of the Physician Fee Schedule, intended to reduce Medicare costs while expanding service access. The bill enjoys bipartisan support and is endorsed by over a quarter of the 119th Congress, indicating widespread recognition of its potential impact.
ASCP is also advocating for additional legislation like the PrEP Access Act (H.R. 7189), which would authorize pharmacists to offer HIV prevention services under Medicare Part B. Working alongside stakeholders from various sectors, ASCP supports initiatives in telehealth, mental health parity, and biomedical research to achieve comprehensive improvements in healthcare delivery systems.
At the ASCP Fly-In event earlier this year, members actively engaged with legislators on Capitol Hill, urging for transformative changes in pharmacy services. These lobbying efforts garnered significant bipartisan backing, reflecting the critical implications for enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency, particularly for the senior demographic.