Lance, Jessica -- IL

I support this proposed rule. Under Section II B 5, I feel that beneficiary protections will successfully be strengthened. It is important for individuals with chronic conditions who require continuous monitoring and medication to have uninterrupted plan coverage and this rule will make that possible by improving access to the healthcare that is so desperately needed. It is important that long term care facilities provide for the provision of pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and this rule provides for that issue. LTC facilities are required under this rule to use licensed pharmacists to "provide consultation on all aspects of the provision of pharmacy services in the facility, including a drug regimen review at least once a month for each facility resident." This aspect of the rule is needed to make sure things run smoothly and to avoid as many potential issues as possible. The issue as to having a lack of independence between the consultant pharmacist and the LTC facility is not to be overlooked. The fact that this could lead to overmedication or prescribing of unnecessary drugs is an issue to be addressed but overall, I believe that this proposed rule will have a positive effect on patient safety in LTC facilities.