House Passes Bill to Delay Medicaid Reimbursement Plan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted 355 to 69 in favor of a bill that would delay implementation of a Medicaid reimbursement plan said to be highly detrimental to retail pharmacies. Industry groups have estimated that the plan could result in more than 11,000 pharmacies closing, including those in supermarkets. A similar bill is pending in the Senate. The Food Marketing Institute, Arlington, Va., and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Alexandria, Va., issued statements supporting the vote. “This vote is a victory for low-income families across America,” said Cathy Polley, FMI's vice president of pharmacy services. “A delay would give Congress an opportunity to legislate a reimbursement formula that preserves pharmacies that serve the neediest Americans.” NACDS President and CEO Steven Anderson said: "We are delighted by the size of the vote, which demonstrates tremendous bipartisan support. It reflects the realization that this bill is important to healthcare and the nation's economy."

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