APhA member Sandra Leal—a true patient care rock star—has organized a petition on Change.org to raise awareness that pharmacists need to be recognized as health care providers under the Social Security Act to be paid by Medicare for their services.

According to our pharmacist.com news article, Leal believes people should sign the petition because now—while health care reform is being implemented—is a “critical time to assert ourselves as pharmacists.” So far, the impact of the petition has been to educate people that pharmacists do not actually have provider status. She hopes to reach 10,000 signatures, a realistic goal considering that more than 7,000 pharmacists, physicians, patients, and legislators have signed the petition since it started on November 15.

Leal told pharmacist.com that she will keep the petition open until she receives enough signatures to make a difference. Sign on in support!