While we have successfully enacted major legislation this year to protect our borders, cut taxes for families, and restore faith in government this year, opportunities abound for further progress to improve the lives of Nebraska families. Nowhere is that more clear than in the HouseWays and Means Committee, where I serve.We continue to make progress across the issue areas within the committee’s jurisdiction, with key developments involving trade, health, and tax.
November is recognized as Rural Health Month, so it was fitting the committee’s Health Subcommittee, held a hearing this week on modernizing care coordination to prevent and treat chronic disease. Among the many pieces of legislation discussed in this hearing was my bill, the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS). Community pharmacists are trained to identify and match medication to disease, and ECAPS would ensure those pharmacists can expand access for Medicare patients by testing and providing medication for strep, flu, and COVID. Not only would seniors benefit from accessing care already available to their neighbors with private insurance, but rural communities would benefit as well. By reimbursing pharmacists at 85% of the rate for physician services, ECAPS would reduce costs to taxpayers, while providing new revenue streams for community pharmacists.
Trade also continues to be at the forefront of our committee’s work.This week I led 112 bipartisan members in sending a letter to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the U.S.
