Friday, March 26, 2010

End of Rotation

So this is my last blog entry for this rotation.  I was worried by the end of five weeks I would be jaded, disillusioned, and unappreciative of all things policy and government related.  With all the twists and turns, unwritten rules, politics, disagreements, compromises, unilateral policy sweeps, tear-jerking testimonies, I don’t know how I could be disheartened.  It’s a system I’m determined to dominate, understand, and manipulate to my advantage.  Before you judge me as an egomaniacal power monger, I know, just like Spiderman, that with power comes responsibility.  I have a responsibility to my fellow pharmacists, the patients they serve, and the system to which we work under.  Besides, I have so much to learn about the profession I’m serving, the system intricacies, and the people who I represent.  So, as I continue my studies in the SAPh program, I will do just that: observe, absorb, reflect.  I want to make sure everything I do in the future corresponds with the needs of pharmacy and moves the profession forward.

As a shout out to Todd, I’d like to say my five strengths are showing themselves 200% in this rotation and it is becoming clearer who I am will become what I do.  Harmony is no longer passive aggressive but active and aggressive.  Input from the people I meet, the comments I hear, the needs I see keep me in the know and aware.  Deliberative allows me to be sure of my actions and my words.  Adaptability keeps me from getting behind when my thoroughly thought out moves no longer become a viable option. Consistency means people are always sure of my intentions.  I can’t help but write this with a slightly cynical attitude, (it would be rather inconsistent of me to talk about strengths without doing so). I haven’t always been completely on board with the idea but it’s wearing off. 

So, on a final note, I’d like to say thanks to MPhA for the opportunity to experience another world and for helping me see myself clearer.  I sincerely hope all of my classmates have the same opportunity for self discovery and mentorship that I have had here. 

And, you haven’t seen the last of me. 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

MERC Pharmacy Funding At Risk!

MPhA and MSHP are jointly supporting the opposition to MERC cuts being proposed by the Governor. Help us stand together as a profession and fight for pharmacy!

A MERC issue brief has been created to assist you in discussions with your legislators about the devastating cuts that will negatively affect educational funding for pharmacy and other medical professionals as proposed in the governor's supplemental budget.

As a constituant, please CALL your legislators and relay your personal stories on the importance of MERC funds in the support of our future pharmacists!

Visit the Advocacy tab of our website to locate your legislators, find updates on State Issues, and review Grassroots advice.

Thank you to those already contacting legislators to oppose MERC funding cuts.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Connections

Life at MPhA in the last two weeks has exploded and I feel I’ve been running around in a constant state of urgency.  Committee meetings, hearing deadlines, unexpected bill introductions, and APhA are at the root of this but I’m coming to understand a lot more about policy and how sociopolitical interactions have a heavy hand in the on-goings of the Capitol.  I will try to briefly summarize my revelations:
  1. MPhA has a really strong presence at the Capitol.  Anything pharmacy related often is associated with MPhA and Senators and Representatives do not hesitate in contacting MPhA for help on pharmacy-related issues.  Having such strong relationships at the Capitol means we can create change and I’ve witnessed it personally.  On March 18th the Health Care and Human Services Finance Committee unanimously passed the Medicaid reimbursement bill (HF 3266).  It was partly due to our great relationships with these key people. 
  2. Anyone can help introduce a bill. I mean anyone, if you have an idea for change, you can make it happen.  To ensure the process works, it helps to have the right people on your side to support you.  You need people to help you understand the financial, logistical, legal, and clinical implications of your bill in order to ensure that it is wholesome and, to the best of your ability, without fault.  Not to mention, there is strength in numbers.
  3. As much as I hate to admit it, you do have to rub elbows with the right people.  I’ve encountered some ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ attitudes and although not always appropriate, it is a game you have to play if not just to benefit your agenda but also to avoid setbacks.   Despite what you believe to be most correct, you end up compromising sometimes to get ahead and sometimes to lessen the damage.
  4. The beauty of policy is it’s not really set in stone, sometimes it takes a little more muscle to break down the rock but eventually it can change.  Sometimes change can only occur little by little but you are constantly adding and taking away to ensure it is the best policy.
So that’s that, two weeks of MPhA boiled down to a couple paragraphs.  I could probably ramble on but I won’t. 

Don’t forget to contact your Senator and Representative about the Medicaid Reimbursement bill (HF 3266/ SF 3146), we’d like them to include it in their omnibus bill so reimbursement can be restored. 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Annual Meeting Housing Form Available!

The MPhA Annual Meeting is getting closer! While final information and registration will be available soon, the housing form is now available on the MPhA website. Keep watching the event page for updates and further information.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Holding Pharmacy Harmless

So while the epilepsy bill remains simmering on the front burner, a second pot has started boiling over.  The issue: reimbursement.  When ruling against Medispan and First Data Bank’s inappropriate increase in brand name drug average wholesale prices (AWP) took effect, the AWP of these drugs dropped about 4%.  The AWP serves as a reimbursement benchmark; payors will reimburse pharmacies at AWP minus a certain percentage.  Most payors recognized the need to adjust reimbursement to maintain pharmacy whole.  Minnesota Medicaid did not make an adjustment in reimbursement leading MPhA to file a lawsuit in order to maintain reimbursement levels.  This was not successful and Medicaid has not adjusted reimbursement rates. 

At one point in my educational career, I spent some time at Medicaid.  Although the focus of my time there was drug utilization review, I got a peek into the money matters.  It’s a fine line to walk; as you are responsible to the people you serve: beneficiaries of health services and those who pay taxes.  The decisions you make create waves affecting the physical health of one group and the financial health of the other. 

So when I first encountered this issue, I was glad that Medicaid had a few more dollars to help a few more patients.  I mean, in my eyes it was patients who needed help.  I have seen health disparities first hand and I don’t think they should happen here.  But here’s the catch: in this rotation I get to speak to a wide variety of people who practice pharmacy.  I’m learning everyday what the financial implications are to pharmacies.  If pharmacies are losing money on transactions, how will they be able to survive?  When pharmacies go, so does access to health care; that trumps any good intentions of mine to pass along a few bucks to the people. 

MPhA is working on a bill (HF 3266) to keep reimbursements at the same level before the Medispan/FDB lawsuits.  Its intention is not to increase profit but to hold pharmacy harmless, to ensure pharmacies they will be able to stay open and serve the people of this community.  So in pursuit of fully grasping the situation, I would like to hear from those affected.  How is your pharmacy managing, or is this blip not even on you radar screen?  Let me know.