Rural pharmacy rules bad for communities

Growing up on the farm, I heard grandma’s sage advice in just about every situation imaginable.

“A trouble shared is a trouble halved.”

“This isn’t my first rodeo.”

“Many hands make light work.”

When hearing about Kaiser Permanente’s change in how its customers could get their prescriptions refilled, what came to mind was this: “It doesn’t cut the mustard.”

Last summer, the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) voted to allow Kaiser Permanente to proceed with new rural pharmacy rules. Rural residents are now required to have their prescriptions r...