At Monday's White House forum on health care reform held in Los Angeles, the discussion concerning how to fix our broken health care system and cover the 47 million Americans (6.8 million Californians) who are uninsured underscored the need for action now.
Governor Schwarzenegger put forth three elements that he felt the President's plan should embrace, including: universal coverage, personal responsibility and prevention. Pharmacists are uniquely qualified to help and stand at the ready.
In attendance for the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) was Past President, Brian Komoto, owner of Komoto's Pharmacy in Delano, California, and Lynn Rolston, Chief Executive Officer of CPhA. "During the forum we heard stories from several patients, whose access to health care was compromised for one reason or another, resulting in tragic consequences. These stories highlighted the many facets of the problem. While coverage is important, earlier prevention would have been helpful as well. Preventative care models should be a major component of the new reform along with the need for patient accountability and education," Komoto stated. "This is something pharmacists have been advocating for years."
Pharmacists have been key in the promotion of community care and healthy living. They have helped reduce California smoking rates to one of the lowest in the nation, second only to Utah, through smoking cessation reminders and programs. In addition, pharmacists provide immunization clinics and other health management programs, such as hypertension and diabetes. As patients visit their pharmacies each month, pharmacists consult with them and keep them on track with their treatment plans. "In diabetes management, the success of the program isn't just the methods used to educate, track and manage the patient, it is more about empowering patients to make sure they understand what causes them to go off track and also to make sure they know someone is watching/reminding them that we are there to help them," Komoto explains.