Vermont Pharmacists Ask State Lawmakers to Boost Prescription Drug Reimbursement Rate

Vermont pharmacists have urged state lawmakers to boost the reimbursement rate that the state "pays them for prescriptions for Medicaid" beneficiaries, AP/WebMD.com reports. Last week, pharmacy representatives told the state Senate Appropriations Committee that last year's 1.9% cut in the reimbursement rate -- as well as a $517,640 reduction in the social welfare department's budget for purchasing drugs through Medicaid -- were "unfair and costing them thousands of dollars." Pharmacists say that "they are caught between" the Legislature, which has moved to "rein in" prescription drug costs, and drug makers, who "control the prices" of pharmaceuticals. In addition, pharmacists said that the loss of federal Medicaid matching funds prompted by the cuts "drove up" their "actual loss" to $1.3 million. After the hearing, state Sens. Peter Shumlin (D) and Susan Bartlett (D) agreed that the reduced reimbursement rate had "punished" pharmacists for the "sins of drug manufacturers" and that "some relief should be considered." Bartlett said, "I need to find out what the cost is. I would say I am sympathetic toward (the pharmacists') plight, as I think many on the committee are. I think they've been doing some good work to help us cut down on the cost of state programs," adding, "We'll put it on the list, but we've got a heck of a long list." According to the Vermont Joint Fiscal Office, the Office Of Vermont Health Access estimated that restoring the reimbursement rate reduction could cost the state as much as $851,900 (AP/WebMD.com, 3/30).