North Carolina Association of Pharmacists Advancing Pharmacy. Improving Health.
Legislative and Policy Update January 18, 2021 Happy New Year Everyone! Happy New Year to all. Let’s hope it is better than 2020 all round. We at NCAP are excited about the upcoming legislative session and are going to work hard to enact the agenda our Board and our Policy & Advocacy Committee have approved.
At the General Assembly Republicans retained control of both houses of the NC General Assembly. In the House there are 69 Republicans and 51 Democrats. In the Senate there are 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats. The Democrats were able to hold on to enough seats to prevent the Republicans from having a veto proof majority. It takes 30 votes in the Senate and 72 votes in the House to override a veto. As we have said before, we support any public official that supports the practice of pharmacy regardless of party affiliation. We have worked hard to establish good relationships with Democrats and Republicans alike, so that regardless of how an election comes out, we are situated to be successful. We have good relationships with key committee chairs and have engaged them on our issues since the election. Members were sworn in on January 13th. They will return to town on January 27th. During that time, the members will organize themselves, get their office assignments, and attend interim committee meetings. Because of the COVID-19 crisis it is likely that access to the building will be limited to essential personnel only. I expect to be able to be admitted to the building and will be there representing you.
Pharmacist Appointed As House Committee Chair: It is exciting to announce that Representative Wayne Sasser was appointed as a Chairperson on the House Health Committee. Having a pharmacist in a position of power within the Health Committee is extremely important in helping to get our issues heard. In addition to Representative Sasser, the other chairpersons on the House Health Committee are: Rep. Kristin Baker (a physician from Cabarrus County); Rep. Donny Lambeth (from Forsyth County); Rep. Larry Potts (from Davidson County); and