If you live in a presidential swing state, meaning that former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are within a few points of each other in the polls, you are under a constant barrage of political advertising that makes your head spin. You will be forgiven if you don’t recall that 44 states are holding elections for state legislators and, in many cases, for the governorship.
Republicans now control both legislative chambers in 27 states, while Democrats have total control in 22 states. How is that likely to change once the dust settles following the presidential election? The pundits would have us believe that they know this, but the voters have the last word.
The “experts” generally agree that there are a few states where political pros will be watching closely on election night. Among them are New Hampshire, where the Republican’s hold on both chambers is tenuous; and Pennsylvania, where the Democrats rule the House by a single seat, and the Republicans control the senate by 28 to 24 seats. Other states capturing interest among the political class include Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Read on to learn how the election can impact the LTC pharmacy industry and what your pharmacy can do to prepare itself.
Unlike hospitals, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, and PBMs, pharmacists and pharmacies are viewed in a positive light by both political parties. It doesn’t hurt that, unlike PBMs and drug companies, every member of Congress has hundreds of pharmacies and their employees in their districts. The general public, constituents of legislators, hold pharmacies in high regard.
This bipartisan positive view of pharmacy spans both state legislators and members of Congress. So, if we are popular, why don’t we see more of our legislative efforts bear fruit?
While the long battle for Medicare provider status continues, pharmacy has had victories at the state level. Consider that vaccine administration authority, first included in federal legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been made permanent by most states. Patient testing and prescribing of COVID-19 medications have also been approved and extended beyond public health emergencies by the PREP Act.
Despite these victories, there are many other improvements that could be made to improve the health of citizens in every state. Remember that the entity that regulates the practice of pharmacy and the rules under which pharmacies (and every other healthcare profession) operate, are the province of state governments.
Typically, these issues have advocates within the provider community and also sympathetic voices in the larger community. As a result, it’s vital to do your part in making your and your pharmacy’s voices heard.
A new legislative year, with new legislators, is a great time to begin your campaign to get legislative changes that serve your profession and the larger community. Start by getting to know your legislators. In most states (except Nebraska) there are at least two legislators you need to know: your state representative and your state senator. If you manage a pharmacy that is in a different legislative district than your home, you have two more legislators to get acquainted with. Invite them to tour your pharmacy and visit with them in their district offices. Your objective is to get them to become your advocates.
Next, focus on other professional or consumer groups that may see advantages in your proposed changes. The list of these groups can be long, especially if you’ve considered the benefits your idea will have on others. If, on the other hand, the only benefit you can think of is for you alone, you might want to come up with a different objective.
Advocacy at the state level is rewarding, and if you do it right, extremely enjoyable.
