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So far Michael Silber has created 2529 blog entries.

Vermont

NACDS is providing the following information regarding updates and opportunities in the state. 

  • A news article that announced the state's Rural Health Transformation (RHT) award mentioned a project manager for the program. The job has been posted and the application deadline is February 1. 
  • Please visit the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) H.R. 1/Rural Health Transformation Fund webpage for updates and information.  

Also in Vermont, the state posted its application online. Please note specific mention of pharmacy related to expanded pharmacists' scope to include test-to-treat in more scenarios (i.e., COVID-19, flu, strep throat) on page 40. Additionally, on page 40, it is noted that changes are required to current statute to support and accommodate broad expansion of test-to-treat in pharmacies. 

 

Also in Vermont, Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Provider and Community Partner Online Listening Session will be held on February 2 at 1:00 pm-2:00 pm EST. Please register online in advance.  

 

Finally in Vermont, the AHS RHT Program team has created a listserv for interested parties to enroll for information about the program. NACDS encourages interested members to join this listserv to gain access to important insights and information. Please note once you subscribe to the listserv, you will receive an email asking you to "confirm" your registration. You must complete this two-step process to be added to the listserv. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-01-30T10:51:27-05:00January 30, 2026|Vermont|

Virginia

The Department of Medicaid Services (DMAS) Pharmacy Liaison Committee posted the minutes from its December 2025 meeting.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2026-01-30T10:51:33-05:00January 30, 2026|Virginia|

Washington

The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) is hosting two legislative days this year on January 28 and February 23 to meet with legislators to inform them about practice and priority issues. 

Also in Washington, the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee is holding a hearing on January 30 on SB 5924, legislation expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists by removing the administrative barriers to pharmacist-provided care by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist's scope of practice and based on individual training, education and experience. The legislation is modeled after laws enacted in Idaho and Iowa and builds on 46 years of safe pharmacist prescribing and diagnostic authority already permitted in the state through Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements (CDTAs). This week, NACDS issued a CALL to ACTION asking members to register in support of the bill. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-01-30T10:51:46-05:00January 30, 2026|Washington|

Wyoming

The state will receive $205 million in federal funding as part of CMS’ Rural Healthcare Transformation Program. The state’s funds will help cover chronic disease prevention and behavioral health; sustain Critical Care Access hospitals; sustain access to labor and delivery services in rural communities; innovative approaches to care delivery and payment models; workforce development and training; technological and consumer health solutions; and IT advances and technical assistance. To address concerns regarding sustainability, the state proposed the establishment of the “Wyoming Health Transformation Perpetuity”, designed to generate long-term revenue and establish auditing and reporting requirements. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-01-30T10:47:38-05:00January 30, 2026|Wyoming|

Alaska

The legislature convenes on January 20, with a projected adjournment date on May 20. 

Also in Alaska, State Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg and her team hosted a webinar this week to present approved initiatives and timelines, share updates on the funding process and discuss opportunities for healthcare providers to engage with the Rural Health Transformation Program. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-01-15T07:37:19-05:00January 15, 2026|Alaska|

Arizona

On December 29, 2025, Arizona received its official Notice of Award for $166,988,956.00 for Fiscal Year 2026 from CMS which was lower than the state requested. The state is actively engaging with CMS to advance the next steps and will submit a revised budget by January 30. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-01-15T07:36:53-05:00January 15, 2026|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Service posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please review the numerous changes to Medi-Cal Rx effective January 1, 2026. 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Special Edition of The Script newsletter  dedicated to AB 1503, the Sunset Measure for the Board of Pharmacy. This Special Edition focuses on: 

  • Standard of Care 
  • Nonresident Pharmacies 
  • Inspection of Nonresident Pharmacies 
  • Establishing Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee 
  • Self-Assessment Process  
  • Define Pharmacy Technician Trainee 
  • Define Pharmacist 
  • Title Change to Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners 
  • Enforcing Pharmacy Law 
  • Pharmacist-in-Charge, Staffing 
  • COVID-19 Oral Therapeutics 
  • Emergency Refill Provisions 
  • Dispensing Hormone Therapy 
  • Pharmacy Records and Digital Conversion 
  • Ownership Prohibition 
  • Reporting to CAMER 
  • Chain Community Pharmacy Employee Notice 
  • Pharmacy Technician Duties 
  • High Risk Patients 
  • Retired Pharmacists License 
  • Mail Order Pharmacies 
  • Fees: Medically Underserved Area 

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued a notice to licensees to renew registration with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) for the California Medication Error Reporting (CAMER) System by January 31. Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 4113.1 establishes requirements for a community pharmacy to report medication errors to an entity approved by the Board. 

Finally in California, the Department of Managed Health Care issued All Plan Letter RE: APL 25-020 (OPL [Office of Plan Licensing]) – Newly Enacted Statutes Impacting Health Plans (2025 Legislative Session). Please review information related to AB 116 and SB 41, PBM reforms enacted in 2025. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-01-15T07:36:21-05:00January 15, 2026|California|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPA) issued a press release announcing it will receive just over $200 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) grant funds for the first year of the 5-year program. HCPF is now focused on responding to the CMS Request for Applications (RFA) materials and will soon provide details on establishing the RHTP Committee’s structure, membership and meeting schedules. NACDS will continue to closely monitor the state’s RHTP website and provide details as they become available.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-01-15T07:35:40-05:00January 15, 2026|Colorado|

Hawaii

Gov. Josh Green (D) announced the state has been awarded $188,892,440 through the CMS’ Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). When evaluated on a per-rural-resident basis using federal rural population data, Hawaii’s funding translates to one of the highest levels of investment in the nation, per capita. The Governor’s Office will coordinate with CMS, state departments, healthcare providers and community organizations to implement the plan’s transformational improvements in access, quality, workforce stability and system sustainability. The state will review approved uses of funds once released. More information will be released soon.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-01-15T07:35:12-05:00January 15, 2026|Hawaii|
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