Community pharmacies in Texas are in danger. With health care access in rural areas already limited in some parts of the state, many Texans rely on their community pharmacist as one of their primary health care providers. But recent changes to the state's Medicaid program have already forced some pharmacies to close, and more will be in danger if we do not act.
Pharmacy Choice and Access Now had the pleasure of attending the Texas Pharmacy Association's 2012 Rxperts Leadership Symposium in Austin with dozens of pharmacists from around the state, many of whom expressed concern about their ability to stay in business. Between the Medicaid managed care shift and low reimbursements even for patients with private insurance, this is a dire time to be a pharmacist or pharmacy owner in Texas.
One pharmacist at the event, Dallas Community Pharmacy Owner Ronald Barrett, expressed his concerns over low reimbursement fees from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs):
"The reimbursement fees are so low. There is no business in any field, who gets a $1 profit off of a $180 expenditure... There's just no way any business can survive off of that."
He doesn't expect to be in business at the end of this year. To see the video of Mr. Barrett's statement, visit us
here.
Visit Pharmacy Choice and Access Now to find out more, and add your voice to those willing to stand up for continued pharmacy care in Texas, and across the country.