Voting For or Against SQ 744 - It's your Call!

State Question 744 would require Oklahoma to fund common education at the regional average. Estimates are that if SQ 744 passes, it could cost an additional $1 billion or more per year out of the state’s current $6 billion budget. This could be disastrous for funding other state programs such as healthcare, transportation, higher education, and corrections - - every program receiving state funding. However, current polls show it ahead by a margin of 60% to 40%. More Information on SQ744

Senate action on Elimination of 1099 Tax Requirements:

The National Community Pharmacists Assn. (NCPA) continues to work closely with NFIB and its coalition stakeholders to repeal or narrow the expanded 1099 reporting requirements for small business under the new health care reform legislation. The provision would require businesses to provide a 1099 form to any entity from which they purchase more than $600 in goods and services, starting in 2012.

Two bills were introduced earlier this year that would eliminate the new 1099 requirement. The Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act has 23 cosponsors in the Senate (S. 3578, introduced by Senator Johanns, R-NE) and 160 cosponsors in the House (HR 5141, introduced by Representative Lungren
R-CA).

Senator Johanns’ legislation will be voted on as an amendment to a Small Business Jobs Bill when the Senate returns in mid September. Another amendment offered by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) will also be voted on. This amendment would exempt payments made by credit or debit card. It also increases the payment threshold to $5,000 (up from $600) for the year for payments made for property (i.e. goods). Second, small businesses with 25 or fewer employees would not have to issue a form 1099 for payments made for property, regardless of the payment amounts.

The efforts to repeal this requirement appear to be picking up steam as Senate Democrats acknowledge this issue will have to be addressed when Congress returns in the fall. CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN... NCPA is supporting a repeal of the 1099 requirements because of the burdens they will place on small pharmacies.

DME Accreditation Exemption and Competitive Bidding: H.R. 5235,

The Medicare Access to Diabetes Supplies Act was recently introduced by Reps. Welch (D-VT) and Rogers (R-MI). This legislation would exclude diabetic supplies provided by small pharmacies from DME competitive bidding. The bill defines small pharmacies using the SBA definition of $7 million or less in annual sales. Excluding these supplies from competitive bidding is important for small pharmacies because they will unlikely be able to effectively participate in the competitive bidding program. That will reduce beneficiaries' access to diabetes testing supplies. The 20 House members that have sponsored this bill are: More Information

An Oklahoma Pharmacist and Business Man Contending for a Senate Seat.

Robert Standridge is running for the Oklahoma State Senate and he is a pharmacist that wants to make changes and be a voice for pharmacy in Oklahoma. Every Oklahoma Pharmacist needs to get engaged in the political game. You can get involved by helping Robert with a contribution to his campaign. If you would like to learn more about him, go to his website

Drug Video "Road to Nowhere" are you interested?

The prevention of prescription drug abuse by our state’s youth requires the united effort of all members of the community. As the gatekeepers of prescription drugs, pharmacists are a vital link in the chain and can have a dramatic impact on preventing prescription drug abuse. Pharmacists, as prescription drug experts, have a unique opportunity to provide education about the dangers of the misuse of medications among teenagers, and provide education about the prevention of diversion to their parents. Pharmacists are doing middle school presentations! View Video

Disney’s Approach to Quality Service

The Oklahoma Pharmacists Association is proud to partner with Oklahoma City University to bring Disney’s Approach to Quality Service for Healthcare Professionals program, presented by the world renowned Disney
Institute, to the Oklahoma City area on September 28th, 2010. Every pharmacy, hospital, clinic, group medical practice, dental practice, or freestanding medical care provider has the opportunity to distinguish themselves through the delivery of quality services. A one-day local workshop, Disney’s Approach to Quality Service for Healthcare Professionals program will show you the importance of attention to detail in everything Disney does -- from training its Cast Members employees) to treating every Guest (patient) as a VIP. You will hear the stories and see how Disney best practices can be easily adapted to your healthcare delivery organization. More Information

Key Provisions of Comprehensive Health Care Reform Legislation

Yesterday,Wednesday 25th, both chambers of Congress passed H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The Senate adopted the measure by a vote of 56-43 earlier in the day while the House approved the legislation, along with technical revisions made by the Senate, late this evening. H.R. 4872 will now go to President Obama's desk and will likely be signed by the end of the weekend. See Key Provisions