Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and Michigan Pharmacy PAC work diligently to protect pharmacist’s interests, practice and patients. As such, a number of issues take priority for the promotion and preservation of pharmacy. The Association’s annual legislative priorities are listed below.
In addition, the following section provides information about specific issues that MPA is focusing attention on, including pharmacist talking points for use in advocacy efforts.
Please note that you must be logged into the Web site as a MPA member to view most of the resources below. Click here for additional information about joining the Association!
2022 Legislative Priorities
The following details MPA’s legislative priorities in 2021. Also, click here to access a printable legislative priorities sheet.
Michigan Legislative Agenda
Pharmacy Benefit Manager(PBM)
Educate Policymakers On Healthcare Reimbursement And Work To Facilitate Fair Business Environments By Promoting Legislation That Addresses Issues Such As Prescription Drug Pricing And Reimbursement, Fair Audit Practices, Mandatory-Mail Order Programs And PBM Transparency.
Advance Pharmacy Practice
Work With Medicaid, Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services, Managed Care Plans And Other Stakeholders To Implement Strategies That Further Utilize The Services Of Pharmacists To Provide Access And Improve The Healthcare Of The People Of Michigan.
Fair Pharmacy Reimbursement
Work With Both The Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services And The Department Of Insurance And Financial Services And Other Stakeholders To Address Direct And Indirect Remuneration (DIR) Fees And Other Issues To Achieve Fair Reimbursement For Pharmacy Services.
Rules Promulgation
Work With The Board Of Pharmacy Within The Department Of Licensing And Regulatory Affairs (LARA) To Create Fair And Equal Rules Governing The Practice Of Pharmacy In The State.
Opioid Epidemic
Work With Stakeholders To Create And Pass Public Health Policy To Decrease Diversion And Keep Patients Safe While Maintaining Patient Access To Medications For Appropriate Use And Advancing The Pharmacists’ Role In Medication-Assisted Treatment.
Access And Implementation Of Technology
Work With The Department Of Licensing And Regulatory Affairs, The Michigan Health Information Network And Other Stakeholders To Provide Pharmacists Access To Patient Electronic Health Information And Enhance The Ability Of The Pharmacist To Utilize Technologies That Result In The Improved Health And Safety Of The Patients Pharmacists Serve.
Workplace Environment
Educate Policymakers On The Importance Of Promoting And Supporting A Culture Of Safety And Work With Stakeholders To Improve The Workplace Environment To Enhance Medication Safety.
Federal Legislative Agenda
- Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) Fees: Support national efforts to limit the inappropriate use of DIR fees as a method of recouping dollars from pharmacies after a claim has been adjudicated.
- Provider Status: Work with national organizations and pharmacy stakeholders to support access of pharmacy services to patients through the recognition of pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B.
- Reimbursement: Support national efforts to improve the frequency of updates to drug pricing standards, expand upon Medicare’s any willing pharmacy provisions and increase transparency requirements for PBMs.
If you have questions regarding MPA’s legislative priorities, please contact:
- Mark Glasper, MPA chief executive officer, at Mark@MichiganPharmacists.org
Additional Pharmacy Issues
Is there an issue that you don’t see above that you would like MPA to consider addressing? If you are a member, fill out the simple form below and your submission will be reviewed and considered by the Association. You must be logged in as a member to view and submit the form. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Glasper, MPA chief executive officer, at (517) 377-0226 or Mark@MichiganPharmacists.org.