This week will be one of the most, if not THE most eventful weeks in this country's history. All eyes are on Washington, D.C. where a vote is expected on final passage health care reform legislation. And I'm heading into the middle of it for the National Community Pharmacists Association annual committee forum.

This is the meeting at which a small group of members representing your interests determine what we want NCPA to try to accomplish this year for independent pharmacy. The NCPA steering committees cover communications, compounding, home health, long-term care, innovation/technology, management, multiple locations, national legislation and government affairs, patient care and third party issues. I'm participating as chair of the National Legislation Committee. All of this is, in part, preparation for the National Legislation and Government Affairs Conference May 10-12 in Washington, D.C.

Prior to our meeting, we will be participating in a telethon to raise money for the NCPA political action committee. Thanks to you, in just five years this PAC has risen from 963rd to the 40th largest association PAC in the country. This means you and your fellow independent community pharmacists perceive the problems you are facing as serious enough to warrant your financial input. We can't stop now. With so much at risk, when have we had more need to keep our supporters in office?

Also this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hopes to nail down the 216 votes from House Democrats needed for passage of a health reform bill. The plan is for the House to take up the Senate's health care reform bill that passed Christmas Eve which, on balance, is better for community pharmacy both on health care and business related issues as compared to the House bill that passed last November. The Senate and House would then make changes to the Senate bill through the now-famous reconciliation process.