2:05pm | Editor’s note: The following was written by Sandy Cajas, president of the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Long Beach.
 
In these challenging economic times, we have all had to do more with less. Our federal, state and even local governments are struggling with deficits resulting in severe cuts to many vital services.  
 
As president for the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Long Beach region, I understand how government cuts can directly harm businesses and the community. 
 
For example, casualties from the severe cuts the state enacted this year are community pharmacists and the many Californians they serve. These pharmacists often are the only access that minority communities have for the medications they need. Pharmacists are trained to provide their patients precise and personalized guidance even with the most complex of medical conditions.
 
However what you may not know is that many of the community pharmacists in our region are on the verge of being forced to make some very difficult choices. Serious reductions in reimbursement rates have made it more and more difficult for these pharmacists to make ends meet.
 
Now, the state is requesting an amendment from the federal government that would result in another reduction of 10 percent in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for dispensing medications. In many cases, this will be so low that the reimbursement would be less than the cost of service. In addition, another provision — the revision of guidelines for reimbursements to pharmacies that serve low-income residents, including children, the elderly and disabled — could end up with even greater reductions.
 
This will have two major impacts: Many pharmacies that provide good, quality jobs will stop participating in Medi-Cal, and others will end up closing their doors and letting employees go. Neither of these options are good for low-income patients as health care access will become even more limited. And ultimately, this will end up costing Californians a lot in the long run.
 
That’s why the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce urges the Obama administration, in particular the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to not grant the state its amendment.
 
Access in health care, especially for Medi-Cal recipients, should be preserved as much as possible because it results in better care and saves taxpayer dollars. If access becomes more limited, vulnerable populations will be forced to go to the emergency room for all of their treatments and medications, which is a huge cost to taxpayers.
 
In addition, many Medi-Cal patients lack access to transportation and need to obtain prescriptions from their local pharmacies. Seniors and disabled patients often require extra care and benefit from face-to-face assistance from their trusted local pharmacy staff. It is critical that we maintain those options by ensuring pharmacies receive the reimbursement rates that can cover their costs so they can continue to provide these services.
 
We also support the protections for patients and community pharmacies advocated for by the Pharmacy Choice and Access Now coalition in California. They are opposed to these additional cuts because they know how devastating the results will be for community pharmacists and their patients.
 
Instead of these cuts, we believe there is a more balanced approach that can achieve the cost-savings needed for taxpayers. There is still time to implement Medi-Cal reforms in a way that does not needlessly diminish choice and access for patients. 
 
Drastic reimbursement cuts will only hurt communities by eliminating access to their local pharmacies. Let’s all encourage the Obama Administration to give California another opportunity to enact a balanced approach that benefits everyone. 

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