The second week of session saw an increase in bill introductions, with the Senate and House combining for almost 120 bills and study bills on Wednesday alone. A number of these bills were healthcare related. Proposals to expand telehealth reimbursement and extend the period for which a pharmacist can dispense an emergency prescription both advanced out of subcommittee this week in the House.  

IPA's bill to increase access to pharmacist-provided immunizations, statewide protocols for testing and treatment, and updated authority for collaborative practice agreements was introduced in the House this week as HSB 91. The bill is scheduled to be heard in subcommittee next Tuesday. The Board of Pharmacy's bill, HSB 73, was also introduced this week and is scheduled for a subcommittee next week. The bill would update pilot project authority for the Board of Pharmacy and broaden the delegation of technical functions under a pharmacist. 

If you have not done so yet, please consider reaching out to your elected officials and encourage them to support pharmacy priorities this year in preparation for IPA's Legislative Day. If you do not know who your legislators are, use the legislator finder tool. Feel free to use this email template as a guide and let IPA's Casey Ficek know if you send an email. 

IPA's virtual Legislative Day (January 27) is also a great opportunity to hear from legislators and experts on the issues impacting pharmacy. You, and your relationship with your legislators, is the profession's most important advocacy asset. As a reminder, if $5,000 is raised for the IPPAC by next Wednesday, Casey Ficek will be taking the plunge into an icy dunk tank as part of Polar Pac Plunge! Donate here.  

Each week throughout the session, we will keep you updated in the #1 section of the TOP 5 e-newsletter. IPA provides a bill tracker, listing all bills IPA is following on behalf of our members. If you are interested in taking on a greater role in pharmacy advocacy this year, consider signing up for IPA's Champion Advocate initiative. In addition, watch your inbox for Advocacy Alerts from IPA asking you to take part in a grassroots effort on particular legislation, telling you who to contact and what you need to say. These grassroots efforts are critical to our advocacy efforts.