Dear APA member, We’re kicking things up a notch this year - You are holding in your hands the world’s greatest legislative guide! This is your map to navigate the sometimes confusing, never boring Alabama legislative session. In these pages you’ll find a legislative directory, simple ways you can get involved, and good ol’ basic information on what you need to know. Yes this is new…in fact, we are trying several new things to make pharmacy’s voice stronger in AL. Maybe you’ve heard…APA has a new Government Affairs Director, our very own Bobby Giles, R.Ph. We are thrilled that we will have a pharmacist at the statehouse lobbying on your behalf this session! However, it is critical YOU are informed of the issues and that YOU are involved in the process – the voice of pharmacy is only as strong as YOU make it. To make it easier for you, we’ve sent you a booklet separate from our journal that has all you need to know in one convenient place. We hope you will keep this guide and use it over and over during the year. Learn who your legislators are and reach out to them on the issues that matter to pharmacy. Nothing is more powerful to an elected official than the input of concerned and involved constituents! During session, APA will continue to communicate all the latest happenings and call to actions through the APA Advocate e-newsletter. Our goal is to provide you with the best information about what is happening politically and how that impacts your profession and the patients you serve. Thank you for your membership and support. Louise Jones Executive Director WHAT'S Alabama Pharmacy Association Staff Inside Louise F. Jones 2018 ALABAMA PHARMACY LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL Executive Director AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALABAMA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION [email protected] Danielle Cole 4 PAC a Punch - APA PAC Associate Executive Director [email protected] 5 Growing Deep Roots - APA Legislative Tree Kelly Findley Member Benefits Coordinator [email protected] 6 Advocacy 101 Charlotte Noble 7 Senate Directory Education and Events Coordinator [email protected] 9 House Directory Leisa Johnson Communications Director [email protected] Leigh Ann Peevy Membership Coordinator Alabama Pharmacy Association [email protected] 1211 Carmichael Way Bob Giles Montgomery, Alabama 36106-3672 Government Affairs Director [email protected] Phone: 334.271.4222 | Fax: 334.271.5423 www.aparx.org The Alabama Pharmacy Legislative Journal is published by the Alabama Pharmacy Association as a membership service. | 2 | ALABAMA PHARMACY | 2018 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL PLAN TO JOIN US! The Alabama Pharmacy Association invites you to join us at two events: APA Student Legislative APA’s STUDENT LEGISlatIVE LUNCH from 11 a.m. – 1 Luncheon Feb. 7, 2018 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2018 on the Capitol lawn APA’s LEGISlatIVE RECEPTION f r o m 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at the RSA Plaza Terrace & Grill. APA Legislative Come visit with decision-making legislators, and play a Reception Feb. 13, 2018 vital role in the health and well-being of your patients. Visit www.aparx.org for more information and to register. Questions? Call 334-271-4222. LEGISLATIVE Forecast No one ever knows what a session will hold…but let’s focus on what we do know. The 2018 Regular Session will begin January 9th and will contain 30 meeting days within 105 calendar days. Next year, Alabama will hold elections for the state’s legislative seats which always makes things a little more interesting. A good many of the incumbents have stated they do not plan to seek re-election, putting lots of seats up for grabs. Sessions during election years tend to be short and sweet and we don’t anticipate this will be an exception. As this goes to print, we are aware of three initiatives directly impacting pharmacy. A PBM bill is expected to be introduced that would expand the current pharmacy audit statute and further provide auditing procedures for pharmacy records. The Commissioner of the Department of Insurance would be given enforcement authority over auditing procedures – putting “teeth” into the current law for enforcement in cases of non-compliance. APA strongly supports this legislation and will work to ensure its passage. APA is continuing to work with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) to gain their support of a collaborative drug therapy management bill that would authorize pharmacists to enter into collaborative practice agreements with physicians. The current draft would also grant pharmacists prescriptive authority within CDTM agreements for all medications. APA began work on this effort in 2009 and we are optimistic the finish line is in sight. As one of only two states without a collaborative practice law, we understand the importance of this issue. We firmly believe pharmacists are the answer to the provider shortage and we support passage of CDTM legislation. Lastly, we are aware that the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is planning to have legislation introduced that would mandate electronic prescribing for all prescriptions in AL. The APA Board is awaiting language to review before taking a position on this legislation. These are simply the three bills we anticipate being filed. There are hundreds and hundreds of bills filed every session and we never know what might pop up. Rest assured we will be monitoring things daily and will keep you informed on all legislation that impacts pharmacy and the patients you serve. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter Martin Luther King, Jr. www.APARX.ORG | 3 | PAC A Punch! The APA PAC is a non-partisan political organization established in 1988. Its purpose is to support the nomination or election of a candidate or to promote or defeat a ballot question. It’s a state PAC fund and its donations are limited to state offices/campaigns. The PAC Board oversees the fund and its disbursements. Campaign contributions are made to candidates who are “pharmacy friendly”, including those who have supported pharmacy initiatives in the past. Individual and corporate donations are accepted and can be made by cash, check or credit card. Recurring payments on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis are also accepted. You can either call the APA office or visit www.aparx.org and click the donate online button. Under Alabama law, an individual or corporation may contribute unlimited amounts to the APA PAC. SUPPORT THE 2018 If not us, who? APA PAC Fundraiser Your voluntary donation to the APA PAC If not now, when? strengthens the legislative voice of pharmacy and helps APA in educating lawmakers on the John F. Kennedy important role pharmacists play in the healthcare system in the state of Alabama. To make a donation, please call the APA PAC FUND office at 334-271-4222. Balance $143,135 LEADERS of the PAC APA PAC Board Chris Burgess Patricia (Tricia) Naro Stacy Giles [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 251-689-6550 205-915-4092 256-997-2965 Mark Wise Jacob Johnson Danny Cottrell [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 334-830-2104 205-835-5643 251-802-0387 Michael Stringer Ronnie Opolka Ex-Officio: [email protected] [email protected] Belinda Ballard 334-701-7149 256-572-0889 APA President Chris Phung Frances Cohenour Louise Jones [email protected] [email protected] APA Executive Director 334-538-2484 256-415-3726 Bob Giles APA Government Affairs Director Rob Colburn Josh Knight [email protected] [email protected] 205-792-5697 | 4 | ALABAMA PHARMACY | 2018 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL GROWING Deep Roots One of the most powerful tools in APA’s political toolbelt, is a member who either has a connection to a legislator, or a member who is willing to contact their legislator. It’s as simple as that. Elected officials don’t necessarily want to hear about pharmacy’s position on issues from APA staff – they want to hear from their constituents; from those in their district who can tell them how it will impact the citizens they serve. To accomplish this, APA has a legislative tree – a listing of members who have key relationships with delegates. You may know them from church, or school, or maybe you are their pharmacist…or maybe you don’t know them at all, but you are willing to reach out if asked. On the fence? Those who sign up to participate in the tree may be asked to contact their legislator either by email, phone call, or a visit if possible. Sometimes we ask members to meet with a legislator to deliver a campaign contribution from the APA PAC, and sometimes we just need a name to mention when lobbying them on an issue. Already signed up? Your name should appear with an asterisk by the legislator’s name(s) we have you listed for in this directory. If you aren’t listed please go to www.aparx.org, in the left-hand menu bar, choose Get Involved, then Legislative Tree. Or call the office at 334-271-4222. That’s all it takes and it can make all the difference. Together we can do great things Mother Teresa www.APARX.ORG | 5 | ADVOCACY 101 A checklist approach to being an effective advocate for the pharmacy profession If you haven’t been politically active in the past, NOW is the best time to start. 2018 is an election year, so everyone is ready to talk to their constituents. APA’s 2018 priorities include Collaborative Drug Therapy Management and PBM Regulation. It is without question that the number of grassroots contacts made by pharmacists, technicians, and student pharmacists to local legislators is crucial to our lobbying efforts.