House Health Care Reform Bill Would Expand Patient Access to Medication Therapy Management Services
The pharmacy profession, as represented by the organizations listed below, welcomes the inclusion of medication therapy management (MTM) services in The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), sponsored by Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), that would enhance medication use in our health care system.
Specifically, the bill would establish a program to provide grants to eligible entities to implement MTM services provided by licensed pharmacists, as a part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary, interprofessional approach to the treatment of chronic diseases – such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes – for targeted individuals.
The legislation would also establish a medical home pilot program through which pharmacists, working collaboratively with other providers, would deliver MTM services to improve the quality of care and reduce overall cost in the treatment of chronic diseases.
The legislation’s definition of MTM services is consistent with the MTM in Pharmacy Practice: Core Elements of an MTM Service Model endorsed by the pharmacy profession to help improve therapeutic outcomes, reduce medication errors and adverse drug events, enhance coordination of care with other health professionals, to improve patients’ quality of life, and reduce overall healthcare costs.