The hard-won increase in Medicaid dispensing
fees is at risk as the Health and Human Services
Commission attempts to meet budget cuts mandated
by the state's top elected officials. TPBC
Executive Director Richard Beck, RPh, submitted
written testimony and followed up with oral
testimony during an HHSC hearing today.
The
main points:
- HHSC does not appear to be following
federally mandated procedure for altering
Medicaid reimbursements.
- Cutting reimbursements to independent
pharmacists equates to cutting access to
medications as pharmacies are forced to
discontinue Medicaid services.
- There are ways independent pharmacy can
assist HHSC save more than the 1 percent
proposed cut in reimbursement. A task force of
stakeholders should be convened to present these
cost-saving measures.
Click
here to read the written
testimony.
