August 5, 2022 | Category: Press Releases
National Survey Finds 82 Percent of Older Americans Want Congress to Reimburse Pharmacists So They Can Get Additional Testing & Treatment for Infectious Diseases
Washington, D.C., August 5, 2022 – The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition today released results from a national survey of older Americans who expressed broad support for Congressional action to expand access to testing and treatment services administered by pharmacists. According to the survey of 1,009 adults aged 64 and older, 82% of older Americans also want the government to reimburse pharmacists so that they can access testing and treatments for the pandemic, flu, strep throat, and other infectious diseases. These services are currently not covered by Medicare. More than 54% of survey respondents say they strongly agree that Congress should cover pharmacist services for testing, vaccination, and treatment for infectious diseases such as flu, strep throat, COVID-19, and RSV.
The survey was conducted by John Zogby Strategies, a leading national consumer and political survey company.
In March 2022, Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), David McKinley (R-WV), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), and Buddy Carter (R-GA) introduced H.R. 7213, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure Medicare beneficiaries maintain access to essential care and services provided by pharmacists. H.R. 7213 would create Medicare Part B direct reimbursement mechanisms for pharmacists’ services related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases, including flu, strep throat, and RSV. More than 180 organizations representing patients, pharmacists, community pharmacies, and rural and underserved communities support H.R. 7213.
“Congress should heed the call of older Americans who agree that the government should preserve patient access to essential services provided by pharmacists that protect them from COVID-19 and other public health threats”, said Mark Gibbons, President and CEO of RetireSafe. “Older Americans – particularly those in rural and underserved communities – rely on pharmacists to access care and services where limited or no other options exist. Congress should act now on H.R. 7213 to ensure patients can continue to access essential services from pharmacists now and in the future.”
Several findings from the Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition survey illustrate overwhelming support for efforts to preserve and expand patient access to pharmacist services and ensuring pharmacists are adequately compensated for these services. Of those who answered the survey:
- 82 percent of older Americans, including 91% of Hispanic respondents, agree that the government should reimburse pharmacists for providing testing, vaccination, and treatment for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
- 80 percent of older Americans agree that they want to access testing, vaccination, and treatment at the pharmacy during COVID-19 and future public health emergencies, including 57% of non-white respondents who strongly agreed with this sentiment and 89% of Hispanic respondents in general agreement.
- 40 percent of non-white older Americans say pharmacists are their most accessible health care provider and a critical source of care; that number rises to 45% among Hispanic respondents who rely on pharmacists to stay safe from infectious diseases.
- 72 percent report concern at the prospect of lacking reliable access to testing, vaccination, or treatment from their local pharmacist during future health emergencies, including 53% of non-white respondents and 56% of Hispanic respondents who felt very concerned by this prospect.
- 84 percent of non-white older Americans want to be able to access vaccines, testing, and treatments for flu, strep, or future pandemic infections from their local pharmacist.
Click here to see the complete results of the survey.
Click here to read a two-page summary of the survey.
Click here to see the complete list of groups supporting this legislation.
Click here to see the full text of H.R. 7213, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act.
About the Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition
The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition comprises American healthcare companies and professional associations that together provide care for hundreds of millions of patients across communities and represent pharmacists and community pharmacies of all sizes across the U.S. Coalition membership includes Abbott, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, CVS Health, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Health Mart, Kroger Health, McKesson, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), and Walgreens. Learn more at PharmacyCare.org.
About John Zogby Strategies
John Zogby Strategies, a premier polling, and data analytics firm, provides a wide range of research and advisory services to clients across the globe, including Fortune 10 and Fortune 500 companies, startups, and small non-profits. John Zogby Strategies was founded by pollster, author, and trend-spotter John Zogby and his sons Jeremy and Benjamin. Learn more at JohnZogbyStrategies.com.