Copyright 2001 The Atlanta Constitution  
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
March 25, 2001 Sunday, Home Edition
SECTION: News; Pg. 6A

LENGTH: 264 words

HEADLINE: DRUG PLANS: Congress likely to take up relief this year

BYLINE: Larry Lipman

SOURCE: AJC

BODY:
Washington --- Congress is expected to try again this year to provide relief from high prescription drug prices. But the shape of that relief remains unclear.

So far, the only plan on the table is what President Bush has named "Immediate Helping Hand," which would provide $48 billion over four years to help states cover prescription drug payments for low-income seniors.

Under Bush's plan, states would use the federal money to provide full coverage for seniors with incomes of 135 percent of the poverty level ($11,300 for individuals and $15,200 for couples) and partial assistance for those with incomes up to 175 percent of poverty ($14,600 for individuals and $19,700 for couples).

During last year's campaign, Bush also proposed a $110 billion plan to help all seniors, regardless of income, pay 25 percent of their prescription drug costs and to help them buy private insurance that would cover prescription drugs. White House officials say a Medicare prescription drug plan will be sent to Congress.

Last year, Democrats and Republicans in Congress proposed conflicting plans to provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare, but neither won final passage. New bills are expected in the current Congress, but both sides are still studying their options, said Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.), who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee's health subcommittee.

Johnson said she wants a prescription drug benefit that is "universal, voluntary, integrated into Medicare . . . and affordable to the seniors as well as the taxpayers."

GRAPHIC: Photo:
Zebedee and Helen Hester take 10 prescription drugs between them everyday, as well as some nondaily medications. Now enrolled in their third hhealth plan, they're still spending about $100 to 4150 a month out of pocket --- nd the new plan caps coverage after $500 a year per person. / LOUIE FAVORITE / Staff Photo:
picture of prescription drugs / LOUIE FAVORITE / Staff

LOAD-DATE: March 25, 2001