Craig Fuller, President and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) -- a co-founding coalition member says, "The Medicaid budget cuts that are currently being considered by the Congress would place real burdens on the states to keep the Medicaid prescription drug program functioning."
CMMR is a coalition of 55,000 community pharmacies, 150,000 pharmacists, retailers, and other stakeholders created to promote Medicaid reform. In their letter to the governors, they stated the present approaches being discussed in Washington could potentially increase Medicaid drug spending for the states and may ultimately decrease access to prescription medications for beneficiaries.
The coalition letter mentions that the current policies would shift the financial burden -- and ultimate blame -- on the states. This is contrary to the National Governors Association's (NGA) goal outlined in their October 18th letter to Congress. One of NGA's goals is to have "good public policy" for Medicaid reform.
Fuller adds, "We have urged Congress to go back to the drawing board and work to create true Medicaid reform. And true reform will only be possible if all Medicaid stakeholders are included and Congress does not just pass the buck to the states."
