Many, many of them make tough choices. This is the second of two articles on state pharmacy assistance programs. While Congress generates the headlines about prescription drugs, it is the states that appear to be taking action. For the year 2000, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports there were over 290 bills filed in 37 states related to senior pharmaceutical assistance. As of mid-July, a number of states had taken bold steps to address the issue of expanding access for their residents.
Some people have insurance to pay for their prescriptions.
We want to help those who are above the Medicaid level but below that point where they have insurance. Many, many of them make tough choices. Kansas , on the final day of its 2000 session also enacted a bill to create a new senior citizen prescription drug program. However, because of financial concerns, the original plan to cover persons age 62 and over was scaled back to cover those age 67 and over. Governor Bill Graves signed the bill, but added that he expected the state effort to be eclipsed by Congress.