Congress Must Pass Legislation to Ensure Senior Access to Essential Pharmacist Services
The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition urges the 119th Congress to advance the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) to protect seniors and others in Medicare from the threat of common infectious diseases such as the flu and RSV.
PHARMACISTS ARE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Nine in 10 Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, and patients visit their community pharmacist twice as frequently as they visit primary care physicians.
PHARMACISTS PROTECT AMERICANS FROM DISEASE THREATS
Pharmacists administered more than half (59.6%) of all adult doses of the flu vaccine during the 2023-2024 season.
PHARMACISTS HELP KEEP RURAL COMMUNITIES HEALTHY
More than half pharmacists (55%) work in a community based setting and 77% of community pharmacies serve population areas of 50,000 or fewer.
ECAPS HAS BROAD SUPPORT ACROSS COMMUNITIES
Over 190 organizations, including rural and senior advocacy groups, physician and provider groups, patient advocacy organizations, health systems and many others support bipartisan federal legislation that provides Medicare reimbursement for essential pharmacist services.