URGENT! AMP Vote Tomorrow! I Need Your Help!

[Icky]

June 23, 2008
URGENT – Please Read!
HOUSE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON AMP DELAY and PROMPT-PAY TUESDAY, JUNE 24TH
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R.6331 tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24th. The bill includes provisions for a 14-day reimbursement cycle for Medicare Part D claims, a delay in AMP-based Medicaid generic drug cuts, and suspension of the Medicare DME competitive bidding program.
The measure is similar to S.3101, pending in the Senate.
This is great news. Independent Pharmacy was able to get all three of our provisions in the House Bill, and was successful in convincing the House to create its own bill rather than wait on the Senate.
This is an important step forward in achieving these vital legislative goals. APCI needs every pharmacy owner and every pharmacy employee to call their U.S. Representative to Vote on Prompt Pay, AMP, and DME Provisions today and tomorrow and urge them to support H.R. 6331.
APCI also wants to let you know that the H.R. 6331 will be voted on under the suspension calendar which means it must get a 2/3 vote in the House to pass.
IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT CONTACTS BE MADE TO YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS ON HR 6331 RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE UPCOMING VOTE. ALSO CONTINUE TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS REGARDING S. 3101.
LET THEM KNOW THAT BY CASTING A YES VOTE IN SUPPORT OF HR 6331 IS A SURE WAY FOR THEM TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENT PHARMACY.
If you do not know who your House and Senate members are go to [Only registered and activated users can see links] and put in your zip code. Then click on the name and you will have the contact information needed.

[Icky]

Thanks!


HH..RR.. 66333311 PPaasssseedd!!!!!!
The vote was a landslide victory for pharmacy today as Congress voted 355 to 59 to approve H.R. 6331!
Now that H.R. 6331 has been passed by the House of Representatives, the action will turn toward the Senate in the coming weeks and pharmacy will once again have to raise their voices.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to make contacts yesterday and today regarding this vital piece of legislation.

[Icky]

Now for the Senate!


Senate Could Vote on HR 6331 As Early As TODAY
Update: Yesterday at 12:36pm, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 6331, which included provisions for a 14-day reimbursement cycle for Medicare Part D claims, a delay in AMP-based Medicaid generic drug cuts, and suspension of the Medicare DME competitive bidding program.
This is a critical first step victory that could not have been achieved without your phone calls and your emails. Thank you for your tireless effort. You have seen the results of your hard work. But we cannot stop here.
The action is now in the Senate who could vote on this legislation as early as TODAY. Every pharmacist needs to call their Senators as soon as possible and urge them to support H.R. 6331.
When you make your call, a staff person will answer the phone:
Tell them your name, pharmacy, location and the number of patients you serve. Urge the Senator to support HR 6331 which includes provisions dealing with prompt payment for pharmacies in Medicare Part D, a delay in AMP and a suspension of the DME competitive bidding program. Tell them that unless these provisions are passed before the July 4th recess, patients could start seeing even more pharmacies go out business as early as next year.
If you do not know who your Senators are, go to [Only registered and activated users can see links] and type in your zip code.

[Icky]

June 27, 2008
SSEENNAATTEE FFAAIILLSS TTOO AACCTT OONN MMEEDDIICCAARREE FFIIXX BBIILLLL HHRR 66333311
Last night the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture by not getting the necessary 60 votes needed to bring HR 6331 up for a vote, the vote was 58 to 40. Remember the last cloture vote on S. 3101 failed 54 to 39. So as it stands now, the doctors 10.6% cut will go into effect on July 1st. The House adjourned yesterday for their July 4th recess and the Senate will adjourn today.
Most of the debate was centered on President Bush’s veto talk regarding HR 6331, which passed the House by a vote of 355 to 59. The republicans seemed to want to protect the Medicare Advantage Plans because of language in HR 6331 that would limit payments to MA plans. It is interesting that just yesterday there was a Government Accounting Office (GAO) report released that indicated that private insurers participating in the Medicare Advantage program in 2005 spent less on medical services for beneficiaries and recorded larger profits than projected according to a report in Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times. MA plans in 2005 made $1.14 billion more in profits than they expected. For this report, GAO officials examined the 2005 data from 120 forms submitted in 2007 that chronicle the previous two years, which plans are required to submit for each product.

The following is a list of Senators from APCI states that supported you your patients by voting Yes and those that do not support you and your patients by voting No. Those that voted yes need to be thanked and for those that voted no, ask them to support this legislation when it comes back to the Senate floor. Please CONTACT your Senator’s. With Congress out until after July 4th most of the members will be in their districts or states. Find out when they will be having a meeting and attend.

YES Lincoln D-AR, Pryor D-AR, Nelson D-FL, Durbin D-IL, Obama D-IL, Bayh D-IN, Harkin D-IA, Roberts R-KS, Coleman R-MN, Klobuchar D-MN, McCaskill D-MO, Nelson D-NE, Dole R-NC, Brown D-OH, Voinovich R-OH, Webb D-VA, Byrd D-WV, Rockefeller D-WV, Feingold D-WI, Kohl D-WI

NO Shelby R-AL, Sessions R-AL, Martinez R-FL, Chambliss R-GA, Isakson R-GA, Lugar R-IN, Grassley R-IA, Brownback R-KS, Bunning R-KY, McConnell R-KY, Cochran R-MS, Wicker R-MS, Bond R-MO, Hagel R-NE, Burr R-NC, Colburn R-OK, Inhofe R-OK, DeMint R-SC, Graham R-SC, Alexander R-TN, Corker R-TN, Warner R-VA

[webhead]

June 27, 2008
SSEENNAATTEE FFAAIILLSS TTOO AACCTT OONN MMEEDDIICCAARREE FFIIXX BBIILLLL HHRR 66333311
Last night the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture by not getting the necessary 60 votes needed to bring HR 6331 up for a vote, the vote was 58 to 40. Remember the last cloture vote on S. 3101 failed 54 to 39. So as it stands now, the doctors 10.6% cut will go into effect on July 1st. The House adjourned yesterday for their July 4th recess and the Senate will adjourn today.
Most of the debate was centered on President Bush’s veto talk regarding HR 6331, which passed the House by a vote of 355 to 59. The republicans seemed to want to protect the Medicare Advantage Plans because of language in HR 6331 that would limit payments to MA plans. It is interesting that just yesterday there was a Government Accounting Office (GAO) report released that indicated that private insurers participating in the Medicare Advantage program in 2005 spent less on medical services for beneficiaries and recorded larger profits than projected according to a report in Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times. MA plans in 2005 made $1.14 billion more in profits than they expected. For this report, GAO officials examined the 2005 data from 120 forms submitted in 2007 that chronicle the previous two years, which plans are required to submit for each product.

The following is a list of Senators from APCI states that supported you your patients by voting Yes and those that do not support you and your patients by voting No. Those that voted yes need to be thanked and for those that voted no, ask them to support this legislation when it comes back to the Senate floor. Please CONTACT your Senator’s. With Congress out until after July 4th most of the members will be in their districts or states. Find out when they will be having a meeting and attend.

YES Lincoln D-AR, Pryor D-AR, Nelson D-FL, Durbin D-IL, Obama D-IL, Bayh D-IN, Harkin D-IA, Roberts R-KS, Coleman R-MN, Klobuchar D-MN, McCaskill D-MO, Nelson D-NE, Dole R-NC, Brown D-OH, Voinovich R-OH, Webb D-VA, Byrd D-WV, Rockefeller D-WV, Feingold D-WI, Kohl D-WI

NO Shelby R-AL, Sessions R-AL, Martinez R-FL, Chambliss R-GA, Isakson R-GA, Lugar R-IN, Grassley R-IA, Brownback R-KS, Bunning R-KY, McConnell R-KY, Cochran R-MS, Wicker R-MS, Bond R-MO, Hagel R-NE, Burr R-NC, Colburn R-OK, Inhofe R-OK, DeMint R-SC, Graham R-SC, Alexander R-TN, Corker R-TN, Warner R-VA
My Dem Senator voted AYE, while my fucktard Repig Senator voted NO.
I am sorry that Bond voted NO, but he is a Repig obstructionist who has said waterboarding is similar to swimming the backstroke!

Meanwhile, my Dem U.S. Rep voted AYE!

Sorry Icky, the Repig obstructionists in the Senate are fucktards who must be replaced. And to those who think Hagel would make a good running-mate for Obama - no fucking way!

[Icky]

July 1, 2008

HR 6331 STILL ALIVE!

Make Contacts While Senators Are Home on Recess
As you know the House overwhelmingly approved HR 6331 by a vote of 355-59, however the Senate failed to invoke cloture. Therefore it is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators while they are home during the July 4th recess. The House and Senate will reconvene on Monday, July 7th back in Washington and the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will again bring HR 6331 up for a vote. **Remember this legislation (intended to delay the Medicare physician fee cut) contains three very important pharmacy provisions: 14-day prompt-pay for Medicare Part D plans, delay until September 30, 2009 for AMP and a year delay for the DMEPOS competitive bidding process. CONTACT your Senators’ local offices by either calling or going by to speak to a staffer regarding gaining their support for HR 6331. Better yet, attend a meeting where your Senators are speaking and ask them to support pharmacy.
To find out how your Senator voted, check the APCI website homepage under Legislative Affairs Announcements. If your Senator voted for us, THANK them. If they voted against us, tell them their support is critical and ask that they support HR 6331 - or to make sure that the three pharmacy provisions mentioned above are included in any legislation that addresses the physician fix.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Icky]

July 7, 2008
SENATE SET TO VOTE ON HR 6331 THIS WEEK CONTACTS – CONTACTS – CONTACTS The U. S. Senate is set to vote again on HR 6331 sometime this week, so it is imperative that you and everyone in your store promptly CONTACT your U.S. Senators and ask for their SUPPORT of HR 6331. APCI members need to stress that regardless of the vehicle used for the Medicare physician fix, it must include the three vital pharmacy provisions: prompt-pay, delay with AMP, and a delay in the DMEPOS competitive bidding. It is understood that Senate Republican leadership will come with language that will give physicians a 31-day fix minus all pharmacy provisions. No pharmacy fix, it just delays the doctors’ cuts. If your Senator is a Republican, encourage them NOT to support the McConnell, Grassley, and Kyl fix. The following list includes the Senators that must be targeted for CONTACTS NOW!
AL Jeff Sessions 202/224-4124
Richard Shelby 202/224-5744
FL Mel Martinez 202/224-3041
GA Saxby Chambliss 202/224-3521
Johnny Isakson 202/224-3643
IN Richard Lugar 202/224-4814
IA Charles Grassley 202/224-3744
KS Sam Brownback 202/224-6521
KY Mitch McConnell 202/224-2541
Jim Bunning 202/224-4343
MS Thad Cochran 202/224-5054
Roger Wicker 202/224-6253
CONTACTS ARE NEEDED NOW and everyday until this issue is dealt with.
The vote is expected before Wednesday, July 9th, SO CALL TODAY!!!

[Nanette]

Icky, none of my senators are on that list. Would they listen to someone outside of their district? If so I will call. I fear that McConnel is a lost cause.:mad:

Both my senators voted YES!!!

[GymGeekAus]

Icky, none of my senators are on that list. Would they listen to someone outside of their district? If so I will call. I fear that McConnel is a lost cause.:mad:

Both my senators voted YES!!!
Both my senators are actually possessed by malevolent spirits.

At least, it's the most optimistic answer I've come up with.

[Nanette]

My symapthies GGA

[Icky]

Ted Kennedy returns to Senate to help break GOP fillibuster of medicare bill RAW STORY ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Published: Wednesday July 9, 2008

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Print This ([Only registered and activated users can see links]></b>:document.getElementById("frm_print_me").submit();) Email This ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
[Only registered and activated users can see links] Edward M. Kennedy, battling a brain tumor, walked through a wall of applause into the Senate on Wednesday and cast a stunningly unexpected vote on long-stalled Medicare legislation.
Returning to the Senate floor for the first time since his May brain surgery, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Ma) was greeted with a "lengthy standing ovation" by his colleagues, CNN reports.
"Kennedy, who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor nearly two months ago, returned to work to help break a Republican filibuster of an important Medicare bill, a senior Democrat on Capitol Hill told CNN," the news network's political ticker noted ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).
It was a surprise move designed to ease the bill past Republican stalling tactics.
"Aye," the 76-year-old Kennedy said in a loud voice, and he made a thumbs-up gesture as he registered his vote.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act passed with a vote of 69 to 30, a veto-proof majority.
One official said Wednesday that Kennedy flew to Washington from Boston after receiving his daily treatment for a brain tumor, and was returning immediately after the vote.
Kennedy was last in the Capitol in May. He became ill while home for the weekend at Cape Cod, Mass., and was subsequently diagnosed as having a brain tumor.
This video is from CNN's Situation Room, broadcast July 9, 2008. [Title Link Above]


YAY!!!!

Thank you Sen. Kennedy!!! Thanks to all Senators who helped pass this!

Now, if only Bush will sign it... He's threatened to veto it.

However... I wonder if maybe there was a "Deal" made... Bush gets Telecom Immunity (and sweeping Unconstitutional Powers)... and the Dems get a Medicare bill... :shrug:

[Icky]

UPDATE!!!! (I've been outta the loop for a few weeks and just now got around to reading this. Wish I'd read it sooner!)


H.R. 6331 Improvements for Patients & Providers Act: Pharmacy
NCPA, APCI and our member pharmacies have fought so long for fair treatment by the government and finally Congress passed several provisions which will soon become law that ease some of the heavy burden that has been placed on community pharmacy. On Tuesday, July 15, 2008, the House and Senate voted to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331: House vote- 383 to 41 (290 needed), Senate vote- 70 to 26 (67 needed).

Some of the main pharmacy provisions included a prompt-pay requirement for Medicare Part D plans, a delay of the implementation of AMP, and an 18 month delay for Competitive Bid for DME.