During a recent appearance at the Aspen Institute, CMS Administrator Dr. OZ stated, “We want [states] to evaluate the licensure of pharmacists and free them to be able to provide great service,” while speaking about the new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), established by the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Further acknowledging pharmacies as critical healthcare destinations, he highlighted their unmatched accessibility and convenience for testing and treatment services to maximize healthcare resources, reduce ER visits, and provide better care for patients.

Expanding pharmacists’ ability to test and treat, and ensuring pharmacists are appropriately reimbursed for these services through Medicare, are top priorities of NACDS. As such, we must seize on this momentum — and longtime pharmacy champion Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) agrees. He’s gathering Republican co‑signers for a letter supporting Dr. Oz’s vision to expand patient access to care by empowering pharmacists to practice at the top of their licensure. 

Please take a minute to ask your Republican U.S. Representative to sign onto the letter and reinforce the message that pharmacies and pharmacists are vital to rural healthcare. Simply enter your contact information, and the system will populate a letter to your Representative. (Note: If a Republican does not represent your home congressional district, please share this alert with colleagues who reside in GOP districts.)