2002.07.01:HHS Approves Expanding Pharmacy Benefits to Wisconsin Elderly

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 1, 2002

Contact:

CMS Public Affairs
(202) 690-6145

HHS APPROVES EXPANDING PHARMACY BENEFITS TO WISCONSIN ELDERLY
Program To Provide Access to Coverage for up to 177,000 Wisconsin Residents

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved a Wisconsin program that will provide access to Medicaid prescription drug benefits to low-income seniors. State officials estimate that as many as 177,000 Wisconsin residents may be aided by the new program when it begins in September 2002.

"I congratulate Governor McCallum in helping to provide access to prescription drug coverage to those citizens most in need," Secretary Thompson said. "Whether it is welfare reform, school vouchers, or covering the uninsured, Wisconsin has been a leader in creating innovative programs designed to help its citizens, and it continues to be a leader with the SeniorCare program."

Wisconsin is one of the first states in the nation to receive federal funding to extend Medicaid prescription drug coverage to seniors under the new Pharmacy Plus program. Under Pharmacy Plus, states may expand Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries and other individuals with family incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). The FPL for 2002 is $8,860 for an individual. Similar programs are being proposed by other states, in an effort to provide relief to low-income individuals in the face of increasing prescription drug costs.

"While we anticipate the implementation of similar programs nationwide, we do not view them as a substitute for a new prescription benefit in the Medicare program," Secretary Thompson said. "President Bush has affirmed his commitment to enact legislation this year to strengthen Medicare with prescription drug coverage, and to provide relief to seniors as quickly as possible. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a strong, effective bill that would provide seniors with a Medicare drug benefit program that will result in needed savings on their prescription drugs. Seniors should not have to wait any longer."

Medicaid is a state and federal partnership that now provides health coverage, including prescription drugs, to about 40 million low-income Americans, including people with disabilities and older Americans living in nursing homes. Medicare is the federal program that covers 40 million seniors and people with disabilities. By law, Medicare does not cover most outpatient prescription drugs, leaving many seniors without access to affordable prescription drugs.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS APPROVES EXPANDING PHARMACY BENEFITS TO WISCONSIN ELDERLY Program To Provide Access to Coverage for up to 177,000 Wisconsin Residents

HHS APPROVES EXPANDING PHARMACY BENEFITS TO WISCONSIN ELDERLY
Program To Provide Access to Coverage for up to 177,000 Wisconsin Residents