TITLE: Support for Recognition of Pharmacists as Non-Physician Providers under Medicare Part B
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, the historic allocations of resources appropriated to the Indian health system have created a disparity and underfunding for American Indian and Alaska Native elders; and
WHEREAS, the delivery of care is substantially affected due to inadequate funding levels; and
WHEREAS, recognition of pharmacists as non-physician providers under Medicare Part B and would make them eligible for reimbursement for services they provide to seniors in underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, the shortage of primary care physicians increases, so too will the challenges that patients in underserved communities face, especially those related to access; and
WHEREAS, recognizing pharmacists as non-physician providers help address provider shortages and access issues in underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, such recognition may increase access to care and opportunities for early intervention at cost-effective settings so as to minimize long-term health care costs such as those associated with preventable higher-cost conditions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will support the recognition of pharmacists as non-physician providers under Medicare Part B and make them eligible for reimbursement for services they provide to seniors served in our health systems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.