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More New Yorkers will have access to discounted drugs
BY VALERIE BAUMAN The Associated Press

    ALBANY — David Edkin can no longer afford the $900 monthly cost of his pain medication for debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. So for the last two years he’s soaked his swollen, uncooperative hands in hot water to get them moving.
    “I’ve pretty much exhausted all of my money and stuff since I’ve been out of work,” said the 51-year-old former auto mechanic from Rochester. “So I’ve pretty much been selling all of my tools off to survive.”
    For 400,000 New Yorkers like him, a new discount pharmaceutical card could cut down on his daily pain.
    The card included in this year’s health budget will allow him — and others between ages 50 and 64 — to buy medications at a discount. New Yorkers who are the right age and make a living wage but can’t afford insurance may qualify for the same discount pharmaceutical cards, which will offer an average of 30 percent off name brand drugs and 60 percent off generics.
    For example, Lipitor is a common cholesterol medication that has no generic equivalent. In Albany, the most inexpensive 30 day supply of Lipitor was $120.62. If Pfi zer, the company that makes the drug, agrees to participate in the discount program, it could cost as little as $84.43.
    The state is leveraging its massive buying power to get the cards, which will also be available for the disabled. Those who are 65 and older can already get comprehensive drug coverage through the state’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program. The cards will help some of those who have fallen through the cracks.
    “This is a group (whose) income levels frequently don’t have insurance or they don’t have insurance that covers that pharmaceutical part of their cost,” state Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines said.
    Other states are also using their consumer power to provide discount pharmacy cards, most often for the elderly.
    At least 28 states had some type of pharmaceutical discount program in 2007, with many eliminating or expanding age requirements and some diminishing or eliminating the income requirements for eligibility.
    Maine was the first state to take the expansion step, offering a pharmaceutical program aimed at adults 18-65 — but children and the disabled without insurance were also eligible, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
    Oregon, Arizona, Washington state and Wisconsin have no age or income requirements to enroll in programs for drug discounts.
    In the first year, New York state health officials expect 15,000 people to sign up. Officials estimate that 400,000 New Yorkers are eligible for the program, which will be available next April.
    “A lot of people between the ages of 50 and 64, they don’t qualify for Medicare yet and they don’t qualify for other programs,” said Kristin Legere, spokeswoman for the AARP. “That’s a pretty large group of people.”

I say no to the discounted drugs.  The discount is only paid for by higher state taxes.  You're getting no discount...unless you're on more than your share of drugs.  And the people that aren't, get to pay the extra.

I agree Kevin, I'm opposed to all government run programs because they are run so inefficient and there is so much waste in every program that the government has ever been involved with.

Can't ya just see this being the total cluster that Medicare Part D was?

I see this as the government taking over our medical care one step at a time. What is AARP doing to help people over 50 years old? They are a large lobbying group with deep pockets. It is hard to believe that AARP can't negotiate with the pharmacutical companies just as well as the government can.

The baby boomers are entering this age group now. And they are a huge group.  So there is going to be plenty of money to be spent and plenty to be made. I believe that the pharmacutical companies can well afford to supply the public with drug cards. Then we, personally could go directly to the pharmacutical companies ourselves.

This is the boomers voting and talking to their elected officials via----none other than the biggest lobbying group around,,,,,AARP.....be careful what feels good, is easy and appears to be on your side is also that which will eat you alive when done in "your best interest".........