Washington, D.C. – Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced H.R. 5031 Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act, bipartisan legislation to protect access to essential medications and pharmacy services for seniors and other long-term care (LTC) residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and similar facilities.

This legislation ensures that long-term care (LTC) pharmacies can continue serving nursing home and assisted living residents by establishing a temporary supply fee for negotiated Part D drugs.

“Long-term care pharmacies are a lifeline for millions of seniors and their families,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “If we fail to act before January 1, 2026, many of these pharmacies will be forced to close their doors, leaving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and vulnerable patients without the care they rely on. The Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act provides a critical fix now, before a crisis hits, so seniors can continue to access the safe, reliable pharmacy services they deserve.”

“Long term care pharmacies ensure patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other care facilities can reliably receive essential medications, right where they receive their care,” said Rep. Schneider. “I’m pleased to join my colleague Rep. Van Duyne in introducing this legislation which will enable LTC pharmacies to keep their doors open and continue to provide seniors and patients with the medication and services they need, without interruption.”

“As a pharmacist with experience servicing nursing homes, I understand how important it is that seniors maintain access to essential medications and other pharmacy services. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Care Pharmacies Act, which will ensure that more than two million seniors continue to receive the care that they need,” said Rep. Carter.

“SCPC’s 400 plus pharmacy members and the millions of patients we serve across the country stand in support of H.R. 5031, which aims to provide a critical LTC Pharmacy Fix before many pharmacies are forced to close their doors in 2026. We commend Rep. Van Duyne and Rep. Schneider for stepping up to address a problem LTC pharmacies urgently need to solve to protect essential LTC care and services, like medication management, 24/7 support, emergency delivery, and care coordination,” said Alan Rosenbloom, President and CEO of SCPC. 

What the Preserving Patient Access to Long-Term Pharmacies Act Does: 

The legislation temporarily establishes a long-term care pharmacy supply fee for each prescription dispensed under Medicare Part D in 2026 and 2027:

• $30 per prescription in 2026: LTC pharmacies will receive a $30 supply fee per eligible prescription in 2026. That amount will increase in 2027 based on inflation.
• Additional reimbursement: This supply fee is in addition to existing payments for drug costs and dispensing fees. Plans cannot offset or reduce other payments because of this fee.
• Penalties for non-payment: Medicare drug plans (Part D or MA-PD) that fail to pay the fee could face civil penalties of at least $10,000 per violation.
• Medicare reimburses plans: The federal government will reimburse Medicare plans for the total amount of these supply fees after each plan year.
• GAO study required: The bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the economic sustainability of LTC pharmacy participation in Medicare and to make policy recommendations to preserve access—especially in rural areas.

Why It Matters:

Without this policy, many LTC pharmacies could be forced to close due to rising costs and under-reimbursement—putting frail, elderly patients at risk of losing access to critical medications.

A supply fee is a flat payment made to a pharmacy to cover the non-drug costs associated with safely and consistently providing medications, especially in complex settings like nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

A supply fee helps cover:

• Special packaging (like unit-dose blister packs for patients who take many medications)
• Medication delivery to facilities—often daily or multiple times per week
• 24/7 pharmacist access and emergency services
• Coordination with care staff and doctors
• Compliance with Medicare regulations and documentation

Click HERE for bill text.

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