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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 5, 2022 06:48 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Additional Access to COVID-19 Testing and Treatment |
| I will soon introduce legislation that will aid in expanding access to COVID-19 rapid antigen tests and to lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. Once again, our licensed pharmacists have been underutilized in the distribution process of both testing and the administration of monoclonal antibody therapies. Many of our hospitals are overrun by patients and too understaffed to provide COVID-19 treatments for those that are eligible. This partnered with limited access to testing is quickly waning the days of eligibility for treatment that has been proven to not only significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations but to save lives. This legislation will offer temporary provider status to our licensed pharmacists, therefore allowing them to bill for the administration of COVID-19 antigen tests. In order to take the pressure off our hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care centers, we need to empower our pharmacists to administer COVID-19 tests, as well. Currently, when a Pennsylvanian is tested for COVID-19 in a health care facility, their insurance is billed for the test, but the pharmacist cannot do so. Pennsylvanians therefore are spending upwards of $50 to $100 per test paying out-of-pocket. We need to include our pharmacists in this process to improve testing access and accessibility for consumers. Additionally, this legislation will allow any licensed pharmacist that is certified to administer injectables, the authority to administer subcutaneous antibody therapies to treat COVID-19. Like the monoclonal antibody therapies, these treatments are for individuals at risk of significant reactions (hospitalization, severe illness, or death) after testing positive for COVID-19 and would require physician authorization to administer them in accordance with state and federal prioritization guidelines, until these therapies are more broadly available. Unlike other monoclonal therapies, subcutaneous antibodies are administered through an injection under the skin. According to early research being done at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and UPMC, injections are equally effective compared to other antibody therapies that are administered through intravenous (IV) infusions. As the surge continues and staffing shortages are at an all-time high, we should be relying on other medical professionals to assist in providing these treatments. Injections are much faster than infusions and result in a quicker experience for both patients and health care staff. With provider status, pharmacists will be able to bill for this administration, as well. This mirrors recent efforts undertaken by states like Minnesota to ensure greater access and availability of these treatments. The Department of Health therefore must provide pharmacies with both rapid antigen tests and subcutaneous antibody therapies as requested to broaden access and ensure accessibility to these preventative efforts. Both temporary authorities will remain in place through March 2022. Please join me in cosponsoring this crucial legislation. |
Introduced as SB1057