Posted January 10, 2003
Article Courtesy of The St. Petersburg Times
By LUCY MORGAN

TALLAHASSEE -- House and Senate Democrats are backing a prescription drug plan that would offer more than 2-million senior citizens some help when buying expensive medicine. 

Too many senior citizens are being forced to choose between medication and food, said Sen. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston. 

"Even the best of our savers could not have anticipated the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs," she said. 

Wasserman Schultz is the Senate sponsor of Livesaver Rx, a proposal that would allow the state to use its bulk purchasing discount for Medicaid patients to buy prescription drugs for senior citizens who make no more than $26,580 and couples who make up to $35,820. 

The Democrats' proposal would save seniors as much as 30 percent of the total cost of some prescriptions. For instance, Celebrex, which costs about $172 for a 30-day supply, would cost about $111. 

The state's current plan serves far fewer Floridians than the new proposal would serve, Democrats say. 

Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, said the program is similar to those in Maine, Vermont and Hawaii. It would require Florida to obtain permission from federal Medicaid officials. 

"We understand the governor has an "in' in Washington for waivers," joked Sen. Ron Klein, D-Delray Beach. 

"We live in a world dependent on prescription drugs and yet there is no Medicare plan," Klein said. "We can no longer wait for the federal government to act." 

Asked if the Democrats have sought support for their plan from Republicans in control of the Legislature, Klein said, "We are just beginning to communicate." 

Democrats estimate the program would cost the state about $20-million.