H.R. 3164 · In committee · Health

Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

Sponsor: Adrian Smith (R-NE)

What it does

• Provides permanent Medicare coverage of certain pharmacist services.
• Covers pharmacist testing and treatment for COVID, influenza, RSV, and strep throat.
• Covers testing and treatment for other public health needs tied to a declared public health emergency, extending authorities granted temporarily during the pandemic.
• Requires services to follow applicable state laws on pharmacists' scope of practice.

Official summary

Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act This bill provides for permanent coverage under Medicare of certain pharmacist services. Specifically, the bill provides for permanent coverage of testing and treatment services provided by pharmacists relating to (1) COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat); and (2) other public health needs in relation to a declared public health emergency. (Similar authorities were temporarily granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency.) Such services must be provided in accordance with the applicable state laws governing pharmacists' scope of practice.

Latest action

May 21, 2026: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.

Committee: House Ways and Means