Lankford Leads Effort to Preserve Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies
WASHINGTON, DC — US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) today introduced the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act, legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to temporarily provide supply fees for long-term care (LTC) pharmacies when dispensing certain drugs.
“Seniors in long-term care facilities in Oklahoma and across the nation should never have to worry about access to the daily medicines they rely on,” said Lankford. “Long-term care pharmacies provide essential, specialized services, and it’s critical that we protect them and ensure they can remain in our communities. That’s why I’m proud to lead legislation that will keep long-term care pharmacies in operation and serving patients.”
“Long-term care pharmacies are essential to the health and safety of our seniors, especially in rural communities across Oklahoma,” said Mullin. “I’m proud to be working together on this necessary fix to ensure vulnerable seniors across our state receive the care they need without interruption.”
Background
Long-term care pharmacies rely on Medicare Part D for about 75 percent of their revenue and serve residents who often take a dozen or more medications each day. Unfortunately, nearly all independent pharmacies are under-reimbursed for the prescription drugs they dispense, but unlike retail pharmacies, LTC pharmacies do not have front-of-store sales to offset losses and must meet strict federal requirements, including 24-hour delivery, emergency access, specialized packaging, and on-site clinical support.
Beginning in 2026, several medications heavily used in long-term care facilities will be subject to new Medicare pricing rules. Without a temporary supply fee to cover these higher costs, many LTC pharmacies, particularly those in rural areas, could be forced to reduce services or close. Federal law requires nursing homes to maintain a contract with an LTC pharmacy, so closures would directly threaten patient access to essential medications and put facilities at risk of compliance violations.
Lankford’s legislation is strongly supported across the long-term care and pharmacy sectors by national organizations, including the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), LeadingAge, Argentum, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
You can find the full bill text HERE.
###