In nursing homes throughout the U.S., older adults rely heavily on round-the-clock care and medication—a need that stands out compared to other patient groups. These facilities depend on a limited number of long-term care specialty (LTC) pharmacies to ensure that residents receive the medications they require.
But what happens if these essential LTC pharmacies were to vanish? Nursing homes can’t simply turn to retail pharmacies for the specialized services they require, and failing to do so would put them out of compliance with federal regulations. Many rural long-term care facilities find themselves without viable pharmacy alternatives, forcing them to shut down and relocate patients far from their families.
This isn’t just a hypothetical situation. It’s an unfolding crisis in American long-term care, and it’s crucial for Congress to take action before the situation worsens.
As someone who is concerned about both the physical and financial well-being of my constituents, I support initiatives aimed at lowering prescription drug costs. However, changes from former President Biden’s Inflation Control Act, whether intended or not, threaten the viability of long-term pharmacies and their patients. That’s why I backed the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacy Act.
The specific challenges faced by long-term pharmacies didn’t seem to be on the radar when the Inflation Reduction Act was passed, which mandated that Medicare negotiate prices for certain prescription medications. This oversight is particularly concerning since these pharmacies serve a largely vulnerable demographic largely covered by Medicare Part D.
With new Medicare negotiated drug prices set to take effect on January 1, 2026, long-term care pharmacies will experience considerable cuts in reimbursement for many commonly prescribed drugs. This situation threatens the sustainability of these pharmacies, potentially driving many out of business and depriving nursing homes and their patients of the essential services only these pharmacies can offer.
The aging population needs more care, not less. Now isn’t the moment to reduce support for nursing homes or to let America slip into a long-term care crisis. The bipartisan Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacy Act aims to safeguard access to vital medications and pharmacy services for seniors and residents in long-term care settings. By establishing a temporary negotiated supply rate for Part D drugs, we can ensure that LTC pharmacies continue to operate and support these vital facilities.
This significant amendment for LTC pharmacies, which draws from the existing Medicare Part B framework, proposes a $30 supply fee for each prescription dispensed at Medicare-negotiated prices for 2026 and 2027. This might be the only way to keep many LTC pharmacies afloat over the next couple of years.
Nursing pharmacies are essential for millions of seniors and their families. If we don’t take action by January 1, 2026, many of these pharmacies could close, leaving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and vulnerable patients without necessary care. The Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacy Act is aimed at addressing these issues now to prevent a crisis, ensuring seniors continue to have access to safe and dependable pharmacy services.
I appreciate the many co-sponsors who have shown their support, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to rally behind this crucial initiative to get this life-saving measure through before the end of 2025.
