Jim Forrester, MD, a Republican state senator in North Carolina, helped get the state's drug assistance program off the ground by sponsoring the bill that eventually led to its creation. The practicing family physician wanted to keep seniors from taking drastic and potentially harmful steps, such as rationing blood pressure medication, so they could afford their prescriptions. North Carolina's plan, which was launched this year, helps low-income seniors purchase heart disease or diabetes medications. Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who seemed to have the upper hand in the presidential contest at press time, has made a similar proposal. Gottlich warned, however, that expanding state-based drug programs to help more seniors may not turn out to be the quick fix that it appears to be at first glance.
States step up State legislative activity on pharmacy assistance programs has picked up recently.
Half of the 22 states with such programs enacted them after 1996, said the National Conference of State Legislatures. She said the tobacco settlement money had given many states the funds they needed to start drug assistance programs, which fulfill a growing and unmet need in many states. And, to meet tight budget requirements, most states limit eligibility to those with low incomes. The exact structure of each state's program varies. Some, for example, offer a tax credit, while others provide drugs at a discount.