Berry Praises Passage of Healthcare Extension Bill

Press Release

Legislation includes provisions to help Medicaid beneficiaries continue to receive prescription drugs

Today, Congressman Berry (AR-01) praised the passage of H.R. 3668, The Healthcare Extension Bill, which will provide a six month extension for health care programs that will expire on September 30th 2007. The bill also adopts legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Berry, H.R. 3647, which allows for a six-month delay in the requirement that all Medicaid prescriptions be written on "tamper resistant" paper in order for pharmacists to receive reimbursement. Health care providers and patient advocates had called for the delay in order to ensure that Medicaid, who are trying to receive vital medications, are not turned away from pharmacies. Currently, most physicians do not use these types of pads, nor are supplies readily available.

"The tamper proof law is a well intended fraud prevention initiative, but it neglected to give states an adequate amount of time to inform patients and providers about the regulations," said Berry. "Hasty implementation had the potential to deny patients access to needed prescription medicines. This would be an even greater problem for Medicaid beneficiaries and community pharmacists in rural areas, who have less access to pharmacists and medical professionals."

This bill provides for a three-month extension for the Qualifying Individuals program, the Transitional Medical Assistance program, and the sex-abstinence education program, all of which expire on September 30.

The Transitional Medical Assistance program (TMA) was signed into law as part of the Family Support Act of 1988. It is intended to ensure that poor families do not lose health care coverage as their incomes increase. The Qualifying Individuals program helps Medicare beneficiaries who have a limited income but are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, and who need help in paying for Medicare Part B premiums.

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