Opposing view: Only federal government can
find right approach to problem.
States can
be the great laboratories of democracy, and many of the experimental programs
they create become models for other states -- and the federal government -- to
follow. But for states to fashion 50 different drug coverage plans for seniors
would be a mistake.
The answer is for
Congress to pass Medicare prescription drug coverage this
year.
States -- and all of us -- are
concerned about the problems many seniors face in getting the medicines they
need to stay active and healthy. Medicare, the federal health care program for
seniors, unfortunately does not cover prescription drugs.
Medicare must be updated, since prescription medicines are
the most cost-effective, least-invasive treatment for many diseases and help
keep seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes.
Both political parties have proposed plans to provide prescription drug
coverage for seniors and we are hopeful that legislation will be enacted in this
session of Congress. The need is urgent, and the time is now.
Drug programs crafted by Vermont and Maine did not conform
to the Constitution and would have interfered with the federal Medicaid program
for the poor and disabled, which is why they were challenged in the courts. The
courts have already struck down Vermont's program.
Until prescription drug coverage for seniors is enacted, there are
things that states -- and others -- can do. Nevada, for instance, provides
seniors with insurance coverage for prescription drugs through an innovative
senior drug program that works and that doesn't violate federal laws.
In addition, Alabama offers a "clearinghouse"
program to help seniors in that state identify available aid and access it.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and others sponsor programs to help low-income seniors.
Major pharmaceutical companies sponsor patient assistance programs that provided
free medicines to almost 3.6 million people last year alone. For information on
how to contact the programs, go to www.phrma.org. In addition, nearly a dozen
companies provide drug discount or benefit cards for seniors.
While these programs help millions of Americans, they do
not address the overwhelming national need to enact prescription drug coverage
under Medicare. That must remain the top objective.
Alan F. Holmer is president of Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America.
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