Passing enabling state legislation and setting up programs from scratch, says John Luehrs, an AARP expert on state legislative affairs, could take most of that time. They might be pilloried by their constituents if they don't take the money, but if the federal funding stops after a few years and they try to end the program, they'd be pilloried even more. It's harder to take away a program than start one. Whether Bush's proposal is passed or not, says Cheryl Matheis, AARP's director of state affairs, AARP will continue working with the states to set up or extend drug assistance programs as it has for several years. The following are phone numbers to call for information on prescription drug assistance programs in states already running them.
Programs vary greatly in benefits and eligibility requirements.
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