U.S. Rep. Rose Introduces Bill Protecting Seniors’ Access to Their Local Pharmacy

September 22, 2023
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U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) recently joined three House Members, Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), in introducing the Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act. The legislation would improve options and access to prescription drugs for seniors, bring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in alignment with Medicare plans, and ultimately allow seniors to shop at their local pharmacy.

The bill would also modernize Medicare and prevent PBMs from discriminating against pharmacies that are willing to contract with them, helping seniors to seek care closer to home. Under Medicare Part D, plan sponsors are required to (i) have standard terms and conditions that are “reasonable and relevant” and (ii) allow any pharmacy willing to accept the terms and conditions to participate in the sponsor’s network. This bill would explicitly ensure that PBMs are required to comply with this standard, bringing them in line with plan sponsors.

“Independent pharmacies are integral to the health care needs of rural communities in Tennessee and across the country,” said Rep. Rose. “We should protect them by holding PBMs accountable. I am proud to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation on behalf of Tennessee’s independent pharmacists and patients.”

“Seniors should be able to fill their prescriptions at the pharmacy that works best for them, not the PBM. Especially in rural areas, including Georgia’s First Congressional District, access to your local pharmacy is critical. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill, which will allow independent pharmacies to compete on a more level playing field and bring accountability to PBMs,” said Rep. Carter.

“We must hold pharmacy middlemen accountable by ending practices that steer patients away from their preferred community pharmacists while driving up their prescription drug prices. Our bipartisan legislation will close anti-competitive loopholes that PBMs use while ensuring small pharmacists are given reasonable contract terms to provide patients with fair prices on the medications they need,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi.

“All Americans, but especially seniors, should be able to conveniently access their necessary prescriptions. However, we too often hear about exploitative PBM practices complicating access to the pharmacies seniors depend on,” said Rep. Dingell. “Independent pharmacies are often an invaluable resource in underserved communities, and this legislation will ensure they can compete. Not only will it improve PBM accountability, but it will ensure seniors can get their medications closer to home and at the pharmacies they trust.”

The NO PBMs Act is supported by the National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, and the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

“Every day across the country, pharmacy patients get letters from their PBMs telling them that they have to start using a PBM-owned pharmacy. Or they get a letter stating that their current pharmacy is no longer ‘preferred’ in the plan network,” said American Pharmacies President Laird Leavoy. “The letters often imply that scripts may no longer be filled at non-PBM pharmacies. It’s alarming and confusing to older patients, who out of fear often switch their business to the PBM’s pharmacy. Steering is a conflict of interest that decreases transparency and competition in the pharmacy services market. It drives up pharmacy care costs while harming patient care, especially in rural and medically underserved areas.

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his third term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney, and currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

September 22, 2023
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Former WWE Superstar and current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs recently spoke in DeKalb County at the local Republican Party’s Reagan Day Picnic on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Mayor Jacobs was greeted by many local Republicans and wrestling fan enthusiasts. He was gracious to pose for pictures and share words of support for Republicans and fellow Tennesseans alike.

“While many know him as the WWE Hall of Famer, Kane, Mayor Jacobs is a rising star in Republican circles because of the work he is doing in Knox County,” said Ryan Mollinet, Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party. “He has a great personal story of growing up in humble beginnings, to becoming an international WWE Legend, to serving his community as Mayor. His conservative approach of holding the line on taxes while supporting the needs of his community–like schools, law enforcement, and emergency services–have earned him respect and support from many Tennesseans. We appreciate Mayor Jacobs coming to DeKalb County to support our local Republican Party.”

Other business at the Reagan Day Picnic included recognizing all the Gold and Silver event sponsors and all elected officials in attendance. Party leaders also reviewed the Republican Party’s election successes in 2022, and highlighted the key local, states, and federal races in 2024. For more information about the DeKalb County Republican Party, go to our Facebook Page at Dekalb County Republican Party.

September 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t be surprised if you see a line of automobiles early Saturday morning, October 14 stretching from downtown Smithville on South College Street as far out as Green Brook Park.

It’s become a regular occurrence at least twice a year as families needing food get in line to be served by the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s mobile food pantry in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

The distribution begins at 9 a.m. with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. No one being served ever has to leave their automobile. Volunteers working the pantry will prepare food boxes filled with non-perishables, vegetables, produce, canned goods, breads, bakery treats, and sometimes dairy products and deliver them directly to the vehicles waiting in line. Automobiles will line up facing north on College Street to North Market Street.

Myra Reffue, Pantry Coordinator, said this food distribution has been a community outreach mission of the church for several years.

“Second Harvest always sends us enough food to feed about 300 families and we try to limit it to two families per car and depending upon the size of the family there is enough food distributed to feed each family for about a week. The pantry is often sponsored and paid for by TVA so the church doesn’t have to pay anything. Many times we get sponsorships from companies that go through Second Harvest and if there is no sponsor the church covers the cost,” said Reffue.

The food pantry always gets help from volunteers both from the church and the community to off load the Second Harvest truck and to prepare and deliver the food boxes but others who want to participate are welcome.

“Anyone who wants to volunteer needs to be there by 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, October 14. For more information you may call 615-597-4197, extension 3,” added Reffue.

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