To the editor:

As president of Heartland Homecare Services, I want to recognize Sen. Roger Marshall for supporting the long-term care community in Kansas by co-sponsoring the bipartisan Long-Term Care Pharmacy Definition Act of 2021. This legislation, if passed, would support care for countless vulnerable patients here in Kansas, including more than 3,000 patients in senior living communities and home-based care that my pharmacy serves, and across the country.

Millions of Americans who depend on long-term care (LTC) communities such as nursing homes and assisted living, continue to be among the most severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic. LTC pharmacies play a crucial role in caring for these people, providing 24/7 access to necessary medications, as well as essential clinical and medication management services.

Unfortunately, federal law currently has not adopted a definition of “long-term care pharmacy.” While this may seem like a minor administrative issue, the lack of clarity leads to confusion and inefficiency. LTC pharmacies provide a broad range of services not typically provided by other types of pharmacies, such as neighborhood retail pharmacy operations. And, without a clear definition, we must operate in a regulatory environment that doesn’t allow us to safely and effectively meet our patients’ needs.

Thank you, Sen. Marshall, for your leadership on this issue. Your commitment to supporting health services for those who need them most is making a very real difference in our state. I encourage Sen. Jerry Moran to follow suit, and call upon the entire Kansas congressional delegation to support the companion bill, HR 5632, in the House of Representatives.

Beth Simpson,

Lawrence