ASHP Members Go to Capitol Hill to Seek Residency Funding, Effective MTMPs

10/1/2008

Leaving a meeting with Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), ASHP member Miriam A. Mobley Smith felt confident the Society would have strong legislative support from the congressman on two vital issues in health-system pharmacy: the need to restore funding for postgraduate year-two pharmacy residencies and provide effective medication therapy management programs for Medicare beneficiaries.

“He said, ‘I absolutely support it,’ said Mobley Smith, associate dean at Chicago State University College of Pharmacy in Chicago, which is located in Jackson’s congressional district. “[Jackson] then turned to his legislative director and asked to be notified when the legislation was introduced. 

Mobley Smith joined more than 75 ASHP members who swarmed Capitol Hill Sept. 26 and collectively engaged Congress members and their staff during 140 meetings. Their goal was to convince lawmakers to restore the postgraduate year-two pharmacy residencies and arrange for Medicare to use and pay for the clinical services of pharmacists for Medicare beneficiaries.

The ASHP members made the most of opportunities on Capitol Hill for face time with the legislators and their staff. They met with aides to Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), candidates in the November presidential election, as well as staff of legislators who sit on four powerful congressional committees that deal with pharmacy issues.

Mobley Smith said Jackson agreed that funding for residency programs is important because it allows pharmacists needed training to become key members of the healthcare team. She left information with Jackson for cosponsoring potential legislation on the matter. ASHP has developed draft language for such a bill.

Mobley Smith encouraged other pharmacists to become advocates for pharmacy like herself.

“It’s not a difficult thing. It doesn’t take a long time and you can make a difference.”

Visit ASHP’s Web site for updates on legislative issues involving pharmacy.