“In building a 21st Century health care system, we need a cost effective approach-one that is a win-win for everyone: patients, pharmacists, and health care providers—everyone who relies on the Medicare system.”

Washington, D.C. – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) questioned Jesse McCullough, the Rite Aid Corporation’s Director of Field Clinical Services, today during a House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health hearing “Examining the Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management Program. ”

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Regarding the program, McMorris Rodgers released the following statement:
“We know that when patients do a better job adhering to their medications, they are healthier and happier—and so is the Medicare system. Unfortunately, Medicare can be difficult to navigate, tangling our seniors in red tape when it should be user-friendly.

“In building a 21st Century health care system, we need a cost effective approach-one that is a win-win for everyone: patients, pharmacists, and health care providers—everyone who relies on the Medicare system.

“To do this, I am working on legislation that will improve patient outcomes and reduce overall health care costs, especially among those who have chronic diseases like diabetes.
“The first step is increasing access. Next, is testing out new models for helping seniors adhere to their meds–models that forward looking pharmacists and insurance plans have been working on for years.
“Going forward, it is critical that we continue to gather input from pharmacies, insurance plans, patient groups, and pharmaceutical companies, because everyone has a role to play in keeping patients healthier and helping Medicare remain solvent.

“In my role, I’m committed to bringing these issues to the forefront in Congress.”