Petitions Push PhRMA to Rx Agreement
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-10-10 14:23:00-04:00
'Ohio's Best Rx' and Golden Buckeye Card to Offer Consumers Savings
As the governor and the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs announce breakthroughs that will offer savings to some two million Ohioans, the power of AARP Ohio volunteers and members is made clear yet again.
"Every volunteer who circulated petitions and every member who signed them, made calls or wrote a letter contributed to these victories," said AARP Ohio volunteer John Ray, who led the petition mobilization effort.
Volunteer and Coalition groups collected 143,000 signatures to put the Prescription Drug Fair Pricing Act on the ballot. An effort that according to representatives of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), drew them into negotiations with the Coalition.
The result is "Ohio's Best Rx," a program expected to offer 25 to 40 percent savings to all Ohioans age 60 and over, regardless of income. It will allow enrollees to purchase their medicines for the same price as state employee benefits programs. Hearings in the Legislature are scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks, and enabling legislation is expected to be adopted before this year ends.
In addition to covering all Ohioans 60 and over, Ohio's Best Rx will cover residents who spend more than five percent of the income on prescriptions, and uninsured individuals with annual incomes below $22,450.
The governor's Golden Buckeye discount drug program will offer immediate savings for all Ohioans age 60 and older, regardless of income. The cards were mailed last month as promised by Governor Taft, and should be received within the next eight weeks.
"Ohio's Best Rx also will help some two million people who have no other options. We need to be clear, however, that discount programs alone won't give everyone who needs them access to prescription medications, said Mary Helen Davis, AARP Ohio state president. "Many of the most vulnerable across the state will continue to be unable to afford prescription drugs."
Other Resources
- What's Happening in Congress on a Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
- Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs
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