New Hampshire is the only state without some kind of drug assistance program for seniors. I've heard of seniors taking their pills every other day to make them last longer. Some people don't take their medications at all, because they can't afford them. This is common among seniors. Carol Ross-Wheeler, who works with Rockingham Nutrition Program at the Exeter Senior Center, agreed with Hollingworth's assessment.
Medication is often last on the list.
The study committee, working with the state's Health and Human Services department, will look into building criteria for a drug assistance program by looking at benefits such as Medicare and Medicaid, private insurance carriers, co-payment issues, exclusions, and available drug rebates, Hollingworth said. Hollingworth said she hopes that a resulting program could help buy common drugs in bulk to cut down on costs, and could base assistance on a senior's current benefits and ability to pay. Ailing seniors now maneuver a complex labyrinth of insurance protocols and government agencies to make do on fixed incomes. But as drug costs steadily increase against seniors' unwavering incomes, current government safeguards are starting to fall short for many, Hollingworth said. There are so many people who get less than I do.