This morning the Senate voted passage of HR 3590 to reform America's health care system. Now the House and Senate must reconcile their considerable differences in an expedited process intended to get a reform bill on the President's desk efore his State of the Union address in late January or early February. The blogs are buzzing with enough pros and cons to make your head spin.

Pharmacists will play a significant role in this reformed system, as both House and Senate versions include better access to pharmacist clinical services, intended to reduce the toll of inappropriate medication use, including nonadherence. We support these provisions whole heartedly and thank our supporters in the House and Senate for their good work.

In the bill passed on Dec. 24, there are provisions that:

• Expand patient access to pharmacist clinical services
• Ensure patient access to medications
• Ensure a viable pharmacy infrastructure
• Improve the Medicare Part D medication therapy management program

We've got a lot of work to do to ensure our patients' interests are kept ahead of special interests and the process plays out. Thanks for your support.

Our APhA family wishes you a blessed and healthy holiday season and a prosperous and Happy New Year!