SUPERVALU Government Affairs Pharmacy Issues
Important Pharmaceutical Policy Issues
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SUPERVALU operates nearly 900 in-store pharmacies in 28 states primarily under the Osco, Sav-on and local banner names. Our in-store pharmacies offer trusted pharmacists, quality products and convenient hours and locations, all with the highest level of customer service.
Public policies related to the operation of our pharmacies are implemented at the federal level mostly through federal programs like Medicare, and at times Medicaid, but the many of the policy issues reside at the state level. State programs are vastly different depending on individual state methods of administration and depth of coverage.
In advocating for pharmacy's best interests, SUPERVALU partners with the industry trade associations NACDS, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the Food Marketing Institute. Additional information about many of these issues can be found at www.nacds.org.
National, State Pharmacy Groups Call for Extension of Federal Funding Enhancement for State Medicaid Programs
(June 08, 2010)
NACDS Comments on President Obama's Nomination of Donald M. Berwick as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(April 20, 2010)
NACDS Expresses Appreciation for AMP Provisions, But Concern for Details
(November 5, 2009)
House, Senate Pass Delay of Accreditation Deadline for Pharmacies Supplying Durable Medical Equipment
(October 06, 2009)
Pharmacy Groups File Suit in Minnesota over Unlawful Medicaid Cuts, Citing Failure to Assure Medicaid Patient Access, Quality of Care
(October 02, 2009)
Durable Medical Equipment Accreditation Delay Passed in House
(Sep. 30, 2009)
Pharmacy Groups File Suits in Three States over Unlawful Medicaid Cuts, Citing Failure to Assure Medicaid Patient Access, Quality of Care
(September 29, 2009)
National, State Pharmacy Groups Call for Extension of Federal Funding Enhancement for State Medicaid Programs
June 08, 2010
Extension is important for pharmacy patient care, economic vitality
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the bipartisan U.S. Senate leadership today, five pharmacy associations called on Congress to pass a six-month extension of the temporary enhancement of the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), which provides funding for state Medicaid and other health programs. The additional assistance, which was enacted in 2009, is set to expire at the end of 2010 without further Congressional action.
To read the full text of this article, click here.
[top]NACDS Comments on President Obama’s Nomination of Donald M. Berwick as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
April 20, 2010
Alexandria, VA –Commenting on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP, as Administrator of The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, released the following statement:
To read the full text of this article, click here.
[top]NACDS Expresses Appreciation for AMP Provisions, But Concern for Details
November 5, 2009
Urges Moving Forward with Legislative Process
Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) issued a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) conveying the association’s appreciation for pharmacy provisions included in H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The legislation includes reform of Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for generic drugs and helps maintain access to durable medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries.
However, while NACDS urges the legislative process to move forward, it has made clear its continued concerns with provisions in the bill that could affect patient access to pharmacy services, and is urging Congress to address those concerns before final legislation is approved.
To view the text of the letter, please click here.
House, Senate Pass Delay of Accreditation Deadline for Pharmacies Supplying Durable Medical Equipment
October 06, 2009
Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) commended the House of Representatives and Senate passage of legislation that would delay the accreditation deadline for pharmacies providing durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare until January 1, 2010. H.R. 3663, as introduced by Reps. Zach Space (D-OH) and Lee Terry (R-NE), passed the House by voice vote last week. The Senate then passed the House bill by unanimous consent yesterday.
To read more, click here.
Pharmacy Groups File Suit in Minnesota over Unlawful Medicaid Cuts, Citing Failure to Assure Medicaid Patient Access, Quality of Care
October 02, 2009
Say decisions in MN not to preserve pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement in light of reductions in published average wholesale prices violates federal and state laws
Alexandria, VA – The state of Minnesota has not met its legal requirements to assure Medicaid patients receive access and quality of care at least equal to patients in the general public, according to a lawsuit filed in federal courts today by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the Minnesota Pharmacists Association, the Minnesota Retailers Association and numerous businesses. Yesterday, NACDS, NCPA, other state-based associations and pharmacies filed similar lawsuits in California, New York and Washington.
To read more, click here.
Durable Medical Equipment Accreditation Delay Passed in House
September 30, 2009
This week, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would provide pharmacies three extra months to achieve accreditation under the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations for durable medical equipment (DME) sales.
The House passed its bill on Wednesday. If the Senate follows suit (action is expected this week) and if the bill is signed into law by President Barack Obama (D), the legislative delay would provide pharmacies until Friday, January 1, 2010, to achieve accreditation standards to sell and supply DME, and Medicare Part B medications to their patients.
Also this week, 43 Members of Congress wrote a letter to the Acting Administrator of CMS, Charlene Frizzera, urging her to delay the onerous DME accreditation and surety bond regulations for pharmacies.
NACDS will continue to notify its members on the CMS regulations and will continue to advocate for patient access to DME care and services in pharmacies.
Pharmacy Groups File Suits in Three States over Unlawful Medicaid Cuts, Citing Failure to Assure Medicaid Patient Access, Quality of Care
September 29, 2009
Say decisions in CA, NY and WA not to preserve pharmacy Medicaid reimbursement in light of reductions in published average wholesale prices violates federal and state laws
Alexandria, VA – The states of California, New York and Washington have not met their legal requirements to assure Medicaid patients receive access and quality of care at least equal to patients in the general public, according to lawsuits filed in federal courts today by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), state pharmacy organizations and community pharmacies.
When First DataBank and Medi-Span reduced the published drug-cost benchmark known as “average wholesale price” (AWP) on September 26, the Social Security Act required states to adjust reimbursement as a result of these reductions. The lawsuits challenge the states’ failure to take action to prevent pharmacies from being reimbursed at below cost for prescription drugs under state Medicaid programs. Pharmacy reimbursement at below cost may result in pharmacies leaving the Medicaid program to maintain their business’ viability, reducing hours and services, or closing altogether, thus threatening Medicaid beneficiary care and access. The AWP reductions arise from the settlements coming out of the First DataBank and Medi-Span fraud and conspiracy lawsuits.
In addition to violating the Social Security Act, the pharmacy organizations also maintain that states must obtain approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for changes to reimbursement, and that the cuts resulting from the AWP reductions were not approved as required. Also, the plaintiffs maintain that the cuts run contrary to the states’ certifications that current reimbursement is the states’ best estimate of actual acquisition cost, as required by federal law. The plaintiffs also raised some state-specific claims.
“Pharmacies provide vital medications and services to Medicaid patients that improve and save lives, and help prevent higher long-term healthcare costs. Some private payers and some states already have taken action to adjust reimbursements appropriately, to maintain the quality and accessibility of pharmacy patient care and its benefits. Federal Medicaid law obligates the states, including California, New York and Washington, to do the same,” said NACDS President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.
“The failure to act by these states has produced a perverse outcome whereby underserved patients who need access to health care the most, will get it the least,” said NCPA Executive Vice President and CEO Bruce T. Roberts, RPh. “Independent community pharmacies frequently serve urban or rural areas where a disproportionate share of Medicaid beneficiaries live. In some of these communities, the pharmacy is the only health care provider for miles around. Left unchecked, these unfair cuts could push some community pharmacies to the breaking point. Even in tough budget times, the reductions are short-sighted. Faced with diminished pharmacy access, Medicaid patients will turn to more expensive doctor’s offices or emergency rooms – driving up costs to the state.”
Additional information relative to the lawsuits in each state can be found here.
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Advocacy Groups for Pharmacy Issues: The following is a list of State and Federal pharmaceutical associations that we work with to provide information on the important legislative issues of the industry. |
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Federal Groups * National Association of Chain * Food Marketing Institute -
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* Connecticut Association of * Idaho Retailers Association, * Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy * Maryland Association of Chain Drug * New Hampshire Chain Drug Stores * New Jersey Council of Chain Drug * Vermont Association of Chain Drug |
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