Today, Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) pushed for action on the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS), urging the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to take the necessary steps to review the bill.
ASHP strongly supports ECAPS (H.R. 1770), which would help ensure Medicare patients can receive certain testing, treatment, and vaccination services provided by pharmacists.
ECAPS has yet to receive a cost estimate from the CBO, a required step before the bill can advance. ASHP and the bill’s sponsors have called on CBO to expedite its review of the legislation.
During today’s House Budget Committee hearing, Rep. Carter, a co-sponsor of ECAPS, pressed CBO Director Phillip Swagel for a commitment to complete its cost estimate for ECAPS soon. “We need this,” said Carter. “Four percent of all retail community pharmacies are closing every year. That’s going to impact accessibility of healthcare here in America. All of us want accessible, affordable, quality healthcare.”
ASHP thanks Rep. Carter and the more than 100 co-sponsors of ECAPS for their continued support. Advancing pharmacist provider status is one of ASHP’s top advocacy priorities.
