Combatting Pharmacy Deserts: Protecting Our Communities from Healthcare Scarcity

We are undoubtedly facing daunting challenges in today's landscape.Recently, prior to a key meeting of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s selected CDC panel, Senator Adam Schiff urged insurers to cover routine vaccinations regardless of the panel’s conclusions, which I fully support. Schiff's persistent advocacy for health equity is commendable.Throughout my congressional tenure, I championed accessible healthcare in underserved areas like my Brooklyn district, grappling with significant disparities.However, numerous health equity issues are escalating into crises, particularly evident through the proliferation of pharmacy deserts as local pharmacies shutter their doors.Consider Schiff's advocacy: If pharmacists aren’t available to administer vaccines, having insurance coverage for them becomes moot for millions trapped in pharmacy deserts.The pace of pharmacy closures is alarming. CVS alone has closed 900 stores since 2022 and plans to shut down even more. This exodus of pharmacies jeopardizes essential community health resources, particularly in resource-poor neighborhoods.Understanding the impact of legislative actions against pharmaceutical intermediaries is crucial, as it directly affects local healthcare access. We must act swiftly to protect pharmacies, the vital lifelines for public health.