Northeast South Dakota News

U.S. Senators John Thune and Mark Warner have reintroduced the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to allow seniors continued access to clinical services from pharmacists by permitting Medicare reimbursement for pharmacist-administered tests, treatments, and vaccinations for illnesses such as influenza, RSV, and strep throat.

Thune stated, "Seniors across South Dakota rely on the care and support they receive from their community pharmacists. I am proud to lead this commonsense legislation that would allow these services and other important treatments to remain a reliable option for seniors, particularly in our rural communities."

Warner added, "During the pandemic, we saw firsthand how pharmacists stepped up to meet urgent health care needs, especially in underserved and rural communities. This bill builds on that progress by making sure seniors can continue to count on their local pharmacists for routine tests, vaccines, and treatments for common illnesses like flu and COVID."

Amanda Bacon from the South Dakota Pharmacists Association emphasized the importance of this legislation: “The ECAPS Act recognizes the vital role pharmacists play on the front lines of care... The South Dakota Pharmacists Association strongly supports this legislation.”

Jamie Fisher of the Virginia Pharmacy Association also expressed support: “This bipartisan legislation recognizes what patients across Virginia already know – pharmacists are vital, trusted, and accessible members of the health care team.”

The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition highlighted the need for urgency: “Congress must move with urgency to provide seniors with Medicare coverage in states where pharmacists can offer testing and treatment services for conditions that... can quickly become life-threatening if not properly managed.”