06-R 235

2006 -- H 8050

Enacted 04/27/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 27, 2006 AS "FACE OF PHARMACY DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

Date Introduced: April 27, 2006

      WHEREAS, Congress enacted the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 in order to help

senior citizens, and those with disabilities, including persons previously enrolled in Medicaid, to

obtain necessary prescription drugs; and

       WHEREAS, As part of the Modernization Act, the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug

program was implemented on January 1, 2006; and

       WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, previously eligible for prescription

drug coverage through the federal Medicaid program, were transitioned by federal authorities to

the new federal Medicare Part D program; and

       WHEREAS, The new Medicare Part D program provided a myriad of plan options for

seniors. Unfortunately, the large number of plan choices left many citizens confused as to which

option was best for them; and

       WHEREAS, Complications arose with implementation of the new federal Medicare Part

D program. Many Rhode Island seniors, who had signed up for a prescription plan prior to

January 1st, went to their pharmacies to take advantage of their new savings, only to find they had

not yet been enrolled on the plan’s computer system; and

       WHEREAS, Pharmacists are oftentimes the most assessable healthcare professional for

individuals and particularly for senior citizens. As a result of confusion and difficulties

implementing the new federal plan, Rhode Island Pharmacists devoted thousands of non-

reimbursable hours, frequently an hour or more per patient, reviewing the various plans and

formularies, and helping them to properly enroll in the program that would be best for them; and

       WHEREAS, Also during this interim, Rhode Island pharmacies, often at their own

expense, provided senior patients with a two-week supply of their medication in order to hold

them over until they were properly enrolled in the new program; and

       WHEREAS, The Pharmacists at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy

Outreach Program were recently heralded in the Providence Journal for providing this essential

assistance to Rhode Island’s seniors during the implementation of the new federal program; and

       WHEREAS, In March of 2006, graduate students from the University of Rhode Island’s

College of Pharmacy, in competition with students from other Pharmacy Colleges across the

nation, placed first in the number of hours they dedicated to Medicare Part D outreach and

assistance. It was estimated that the students spent 38,000 minutes or 633 hours helping citizens,

in addition to their rigorous classroom responsibilities; now, therefore be it

       RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 27, 2006 to be “Face of Pharmacy Day” in the

State of Rhode Island. We furthermore recognize and thank the dedicated professionals and

students who not only provide crucial services to Rhode Islanders, but also contribute caring

assistance and constant support; and be it further

       RESOLVED, That Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the University of Rhode Island College of

Pharmacy, and the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association.

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LC03104

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