During week two of the four-week legislation session, payment parity legislation which provides for reimbursement parity for prescribing pharmacists, HB 42 by Rep. Deborah Armstrong, that has broad-based support from NACDS, NMPhA, NMRA, pharmacists and pharmacies, passed the House State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee and was sent to the full House for further consideration.  NACDS, NMPhA, NMRA, pharmacists from around the state supported the bill. Also supporting the bill are several of the health plans – Blue Cross Blue Shield, Presbyterian, American Health Insurance Plans, AARP and Young Women United.

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

Pharmacy Day at the Capitol was Monday, January 27.  

Also in New Mexico... NACDS co-signed a letter to Gov. Michelle Grisham Lujan (D) in support HB 42, the bill requiring payment for any pharmacy patient services sponsored by Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Deborah Armstrong. Other national organizations cosigning the letter were the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Association (NASPA). The bill was reported favorably from the House Health and Human Services Committee on January 27th by a 5-2 vote, and was referred to the House State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee for further consideration. NACDS members are encouraged to contact their legislators urging support of the bill. Time is short as the legislature is scheduled to adjourn on February 20.

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

Pharmacy Day at the Capitol is Monday, January 27. 

Also in New Mexico... NACDS co-signed a letter to Gov. Michelle Grisham Lujan (D) in support HB 42, the bill requiring payment for any pharmacy patient services sponsored by Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Deborah Armstrong. Other national organizations cosigning the letter were the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Association (NASPA). 

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

In an effort to get Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) Administration to include reimbursement to pharmacists for clinical services in the 2020 one-month fiscal session, NACDS provided our in-state partner, the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, with recommendations for an upcoming meeting with David R. Scrase, MD, the Secretary of the Human Services Department.

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

In an effort to get Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) Administration to include reimbursement to pharmacists for clinical services in the 2020 one-month fiscal session, NACDS provided our in-state partner, the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, with recommendations for an upcoming meeting with David R. Scrase, MD, the Secretary of the Human Services Department.

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

On October 10, NACDS along with the New Mexico Pharmacists Association and the New Mexico Retail Association met with Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) and his staff to discuss how chain pharmacies are a critical part of the solution to the opioid abuse crisis, to highlight examples of how chain pharmacies are working prevent opioid abuse and increase access to treatment, and to promote NACDS’ public policy solutions.

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

In response to the recent notice from the Human Services Department announcing a $2.00 increase the professional dispensing fee for “community-based pharmacies” participating in the Centennial Care program effective Monday, July 1, NACDS sent a letter objecting to the proposed differential dispensing fee for a limited group of independent pharmacy providers.

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

In mid-May, the Human Services Department (HSD) announced its intention to raise certain Medicaid provider payment rates effective Monday, July 1, as part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) focus on healthcare. NACDS is seeking comments from chain members by Friday, June 7 on a draft letter outlining our concerns, objecting to the tiered professional dispensing fee and asking that all pharmacies receive the $2 dispensing fee increase under the Centennial Care Program.

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