On April 15, 2024, ASCP (American Society of Consultant Pharmacists) held its Legislative Conference to discuss current issues that are affecting healthcare, especially in the LTPAC space. The agenda for the conference included three insightful panels, policy training, and more. The panel discussions included titles such as: A Conversation about Boxed Warning; Older Adults and Medical Advances; and Vaccine Policy and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. These panelist discussions focused on actions that are having large effects on long-term care as well as in the community. Audience members were engaged in targeted conversations and asked many questions of the expert panels. 

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That evening, ASCP-PAC hosted a reception honoring and supporting Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), one of only two pharmacists currently serving in Congress. 

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On April 16, 2024, many ASCP members went to Capitol Hill to advocate for their profession and patients. It is imperative that policymakers hear the voice of pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners so they can craft better healthcare policies. That day we had over 70 scheduled meetings with Congressional offices. ASCP members engaged and educated the offices on several topics including Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists’ Service Act (H.R. 1770/S. 2477), Preventive Health Savings Act* (S.114/H.R.766), Access to Genetic Testing for Medicaid Recipients (S. 708), pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms, and more. 

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The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines is just one example of the power of pharmacists to positively impact health outcomes. Collectively, pharmacists saved one million American lives, prevented eight million hospitalizations and saved $450 billion in healthcare costs by vaccine administration. We used this moment to tell our story to Congress to drive the policy changes that pharmacists have long sought.

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We concluded the day with a congressional reception in the House chambers.  That evening, we also co-hosted a reception for Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), a strong advocate for pharmacists as part of the healthcare team. It was an active and successful two days on the Hill. 

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Arnie Clayman, PD, FASCP 

VP Professional Affairs, ASCP

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* Note- H.R. 766 may be cited as the “Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act” and was introduced by Representative Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-TX).

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