***  Federal Alerts  ***

Keep Interchange in Final Financial Reform Package 

In May, SUPERVALU associates overwhelmingly responded to a call to action by sending over 4,100 messages to members of the U.S. Senate in support of an amendment to address excessive interchange fees. Your voice was heard and the amendment was adopted in the Senate Financial Reform Bill, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. 

The House and Senate are now negotiating differences between the two bills and we need your support again to ensure that the interchange provision remains in the final package.  We need you to tell your representatives how important it is to our business and our customers. Contact your federal representatives TODAY and ask them to support the interchange provision passed by the Senate in the final Financial Reform bill.   [top] 

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Support FMAP Funding and Medicaid 

SUPERVALU Pharmacies continues to advocate for a six month extension of a temporary federal program that provides enhanced Medicaid funding to the states to prevent reduced Medicaid budgets.

A number of states are facing significant state budget deficits into FY2011. Due to high unemployment, Medicaid caseloads have surged in every state. Without an extension of enhanced funding of the Federal Matching Assistance Program (FMAP), states could reduce Medicaid budgets, which would reduce access to prescription medications and pharmacy services provided by our pharmacies.

Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to extend the current increases to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage. [top] 

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Protect Business from Excessive Credit Card Fees  

The U.S. Senate began debate on financial regulatory reform legislation called the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, and will vote on important amendments as early as today.  SUPERVALU is working with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to amend the legislation to help address excessive swipe fees (interchange fees) charged by Visa and MasterCard when our customers use their debit card to make a purchase.

Contact your U.S. Senators TODAY and ask them to support efforts by Sen. Dick Durbin to amend the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 to address excessive interchange fees. [top] 

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Advance key pro-patient, pro-pharmacy provisions 

This week nearly 250 individuals from over 35 states are traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Second Annual RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill sponsored by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). Members of the SUPERVALU Pharmacy team will be there.

We need your help to take this opportunity to encourage Members of Congress to advance key pro-patient, pro-pharmacy provisions. Tell Congress to fix Medicaid AMP, eliminate burdensome DME requirements, and support MTM programs.

Please take five minutes to do YOUR part to fight for pharmacy legislation in Congress! [top] 

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Support Legislation to Combat Organized Retail Crime

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is holding an oversight hearing the first week in November on legislation to strengthen federal law enforcement efforts to combat Organized Retail Crime.

SUPERVALU’s government affairs department is asking associates to contact your U.S House Representatives and urge them to support and co-sponsor organized retail crime legislation to help combat this serious problem.

Organized retail crime losses are estimated to run as high as $30 billion annually across all retail. In addition to raising prices for the average consumer to cover retail losses, merchandise resold by organized retail crime groups may pose health risks when stolen goods are mishandled or altered.  Act today to urge Congress to act! [top] 

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***State Alerts***

Support Legislation on Plastic and Paper Bag Regulations 
California

The California Legislature is close to passing important legislation related to single-use carryout bags – both plastic and paper.   Assembly Bill 1998 will promote a shift to reusable bags and create a uniform, statewide standard for plastic and paper bags across all California jurisdictions.  It provides the most environmental gain with the least competitive disruption for retailers.

With only a week left in the 2010 legislative session, we need your help today to contact your member of the California State Senate and ask them to advance AB1998. top] 
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Oppose Expansion of the Bottle Bill 
Massachusetts

Legislation that would expand the five-cent bottle deposit law to bottled water and sports drinks has cleared another committee in the Senate.  With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, it’s important that we defeat this legislation. 

An expansion of the bottle deposit law would add significant costs to our company and it raises a number of sanitation and safety concerns for our employees and our customers.

Please contact your state representatives and urge them to vote against an expansion of the bottle bill. top] 

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Support Amendment on e911 Fees that Supports Retailers
Pennsylvania

On Tuesday, May 25 the Pennsylvania Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will vote on House Bill 1789, legislation that will require retailers to collect a $1.00 fee on every transaction involving a pre-paid cell phone device or pre-paid cell phone card.

We have been actively opposing this legislation. Senator Waugh (R-York) has offered an amendment to the bill which would place the responsibility of collecting the $1.00 fee on telecommunication carriers, providers, and resellers - not retailers.  

This is a critical vote in a critical committee. Please contact your Senator and urge them to vote 'YES' on the Waugh Amendment. top] 

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Oppose Changes to the Backlog of Interest Payments for Medicaid

Illinois 

An amendment has been introduced at the state legislature that would make it more difficult for our pharmacies to receive interest on the backlog of Medicaid payments from the state. 

Act now to ontact your State Representative and State Senator and urge them to vote 'NO' on House Amendment #2 to S.B. 3662 and any other proposal that treats pharmacies serving Medicaid patients like interest-free banks..[top] 

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Support Critical Pharmacy Provisions in Final Budget Bill 

Minnesota

The Minnesota Legislature will adjourn in one week and key pharmacy provisions are being negotiated right now.  The House and Senate are meeting this week to negotiate a compromise of each chamber’s version of the Health and Human Services Omnibus Budget bill.

The House version of the Health and Human Services Omnibus budget bill contains a critical provision that will adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for pharmacy.  The Senate version of the budget bill contains a key provision for Medication Therapy Management services provided by our pharmacists...[top] 
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Protect Patient Choice! 

                                         Virginia

Governor McDonnell is proposing a provision for the House Budget Bill 30 that limits patient choice for state employees by establishing a 90-day network for maintenance drugs that could limit state employee choices for access to prescriptions. 

Both the House and the Senate rejected the same proposal in the final budget bill they sent to the Governor.

Contract your legislators TODAY to let them know we oppose this measure!  The state budget work will be finalized by the end of this week (April 23) so we need your help now. [top] 

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Support Safe Food Handling and Business 

                                         Illinois

The Illinois Legislature has passed legislation that would better align the requirements for obtaining a Food Service Sanitation Manager’s Certificate with other states.  The bills now need one more  final vote in each body. 

These are critical changes that will recognize our continual food safety training and allow us to better manage our shifts and remain compliant with Illinois law. The changes will allow us to accept certificates from other states and reduce the number of classroom hours required before taking certificate exam.

Some groups continue to lobby against these changes and we need your help to urge legisators to support the final votes on the bill in the Senate and the House..[top] 

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Reinstate Pharmacy Reimbursements 

                                         Minnesota

Legislation has been introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives that is intended to restore a 4% cut to Pharmacy as a result of the First DataBank Settlement which took effect on September 26, 2009.  The proposal would restore $6.31 million in cuts to pharmacy reimbursements under Medicaid in Minnesota. 

As a result of the lawsuit and the adjustment that took effect after September 26, 2009, pharmacies are being reimbursed at rates lower than the cost to acquire prescription medications. 

The bill will be heard tomorrow, in the House Health Care Finance Division, so please take action TODAY.[top] 

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Oppose New Licenses and Fees on Scanners

Vermont  

On February 4, 2010 the House Ways & Means Committee approved a bill that imposes new licenses and fees on each store scanner device. The legislation:

-Requires all retailers to obtain a license for each point of sale laser scanner before they can be put into service and annually thereafter.
-Adds a new license fee of $12.50 per scanner checkout device annually (exempts single store operators with 5 or less scanning devices from the fee, but not the license).

Take action today! The full House is expected to vote on the proposal next week, so action is needed now.  [top] 

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Support Sunday Sale of Alcohol

Connecticut 

The Connecticut Legislature is back in Special Session this week debating the state budget deficit.  The debate provides an important opportunity for Shaw’s to advocate for the sale of beer in grocery stores on Sundays.  According to a recent legislative report, the state could benefit by as much as $7.5 to $8 million in additional tax revenue by allowing Sunday sales.

We support the proposal to allow for Sunday sales of beer in our stores.  On one of the busiest shopping days of the week, we want to be able to offer our customers the convenience of full service grocery shopping.

Contact your legsiators today and let them know we support Sunday sales!  [top] 

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