The Partnership for Part D Access is dedicated to providing opportunities to bring awareness to the importance of Medicare's Six Protected Classes and educate patients, providers, and communities about ways to work together to preserve this important patient access policy.

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Introduction to Medicare's 6PC Policy Briefing
March 20, 2025

The Partnership for Part D Access hosted a policy briefing titled "Introduction to Medicare's 6PC Policy Briefing." The briefing provided an overview of Medicare’s Six Protected Classes (6PC) policy, emphasizing how these protections help ensure uninterrupted access to vital medications for individuals facing conditions. The briefing also discussed ​the importance of safeguarding 6PC against potential policy changes that could lead to treatment disruptions, poorer health outcomes, and increased long-term costs.

March 20th Intro to 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Kim Czubaruk, JD, Associate Vice President of Policy, CancerCare
• Jakara Eason, Advisor, The Partnership for Part D Access
• Jim Lewis, MSS, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists

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Beyond Labels: Safeguarding Patient Access to Vital Medications in Mental Health Advocacy
May 16, 2024

The Partnership for Part D Access hosted a policy briefing titled "Beyond Labels: Safeguarding Patient Access to Vital Medications in Mental Health Advocacy." The briefing discussed the intricacies surrounding the nation's mental health crisis, strategies for raising awareness about mental health, and the impact of the Six Protected Classes policy on individuals facing mental health issues.

Beyond Labels: Safeguarding Patient Access to Vital Medications in Mental Health Advocacy by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Stephanie Katz, Assistant Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, The National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Dr. Jennifer Dress, Pharmacy Specialist, Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center (on behalf of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists [AAPP])
• Stephanie Hengst, Manager of Policy & Research, The AIDS Institute
• Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mental Health America

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Closing the Gap: Ensuring Equitable Access to Vital Medications in Minority Communities
​April 11, 2024

The Partnership for Part D Access hosted a policy briefing titled "Closing the Gap: Ensuring Equitable Access to Vital Medications in Minority Communities," bringing together experts and advocates from various organizations to address the critical issue of health disparities in minority communities. The coalition, comprising organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation and Cancer Support Community, aims to protect patient access to vital medications and promote health equity. 

Closing the Gap: Ensuring Equitable Access to Vital Medications in Minority Communities by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Jakara Eason, Advisor, Partnership for Part D Access
• Audrey Davis, Senior Director of Health Equity, Cancer Support Community
• Archana Pasupuleti, MD​, Pediatric Neurologist & Epileptologist, Epilepsy Foundation

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Legacy of Care: Unlocking Access to Vital Medications in the Black Community
​February 15, 2024

During Black History Month, the Partnership for Part D Access collaborated with the Texas Kidney Foundation for a discussion about addressing challenges to patient access to vital medications and gaining insight into its significant impact on individuals with kidney disease, particularly within the Black community.

February 15th Black History Month 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Jennifer Snow, National Director of Government Relations and Policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Tiffany Jones-Smith, President & CEO, Texas Kidney Foundation
• Dirrell Jones, JD​, Patient Advocate, Texas Kidney Foundation
• Crystal Riley, PharmD, MHA, MBA, Clinical & Policy Adjunct Professor, Grand Canyon University/NYU Wagner

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Threats to Patient Access to Vital Medications
A 6PC Policy Briefing Series

Every day, millions of Americans rely upon their Medicare drug benefit to help manage their health conditions. Maintaining uninterrupted access to their drug regimen is crucial for patients in their care journey. This series of panel discussions focuses on the importance of patient access to medication and Medicare's Six Protected Classes. Hear from patients and clinicians as they share their stories and experiences about the impact of the policy on their fight against some of the most serious health conditions.

August 2, 2023

August 2nd 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Jennifer Snow, National Director of Government Relations and Policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Glenda Daggert & Ira Copperman, Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
• Jessica Templer, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology (Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

August 16, 2023

August 16th 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists​

• Jennifer Snow, National Director of Government Relations and Policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Jim Myers, Patient Advocate, American Kidney Fund
• Paul Conway, Chair of Policy and Global Affairs and Immediate Past President, American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
• James Sosman, MD, Medical Director, University of Wisconsin Health HIV Care & Prevention Program; Medical Director, Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center - Wisconsin Site

September 27, 2023 (In Conjunction with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus)

September 27th 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Reyna Taylor, Executive Director, Partnership for Part D Access; Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, Executive Director and CEO, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

October 19, 2023 (In Collaboration with the House Cancer Caucus)

October 19th 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), House Cancer Caucus Co-Chair
• Reyna Taylor, Executive Director, Partnership for Part D Access; Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Mariah Forster Olson, ACS CAN Patient Ambassador
• Jelani Murrain, Director of Federal Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
• Glenda Daggert & Ira Copperman, Transplants Recipients International Organization
• Crystal Riley, PharmD, MHA, MBA, Clinical & Policy Adjunct Professor, Grand Canyon University/NYU Wagner

November 16, 2023 - #AskTheExperts: A Clinician Panel on Protecting Access to Vital Medication

November 16th Ask The Experts 6PC Policy Briefing by Jakara Eason

Panelists

• Stephanie Hengst, The AIDS Institute
• Kathleen A. McManus, MD, MS, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
• Sosunmolu Shoyinka, MD, MBA, Centia Health LLC; American Psychiatric Association