NCPA releases program for Legislative Conference meeting

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday released the program for its 2012 Legislative Conference meeting, which will bring community pharmacists and some of Washington, D.C.’s most senior decision-makers together to discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues.

 

“With important pharmacy issues pending in Washington this year, pharmacists must get in the game,” NCPA SVP government affairs John Coster said. “In addition, regardless of who seizes power in the upcoming elections, 2013 will be an important year for pharmacy that requires the direct engagement of independent community pharmacists now.”

 

The current program for NCPA’s 2012 Legislative Conference includes discussions of the following:

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  Medicare issues with Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator and director, Center for Medicare of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;

  
  


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  Federal Medicaid policy with Cindy Mann, deputy administrator and director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services for CMS;

  
  


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  Recent merger activity and other antirust policy with top staff from the Federal Trade Commission and the Senate Judiciary Committee;

  
  


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  Congressional healthcare policy with leading members of Congress and senior staff of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees;

  
  


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  The Department of Defense Tricare pharmacy benefit with Tricare’s Rear Admiral Thomas McGinnis; and

  
  


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  Pharmacy crime, long-term care, state healthcare policy and the upcoming elections.

  
  

The meeting will be held May 7 to 9 in Washington, D.C. Participants receive up to 11 contact hours in continuing education credit, the association noted.