Recent presidential candidates’ prescription drug plans for senior citizens has stirred mixed emotions with agencies throughout the Tri-State.

Monday, September 04, 2000

Recent presidential candidates’ prescription drug plans for senior citizens has stirred mixed emotions with agencies throughout the Tri-State.

While Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush sling ads and arithmetic at each other in a battle over prescription drug plans for the elderly, senior citizens groups continue to focus on affordability.

"Prescription medications help keep people healthy," said Ann Lemley, volunteer specialist for the AARP. "If they can’t afford it, they’re just going to end up a lot worse off. As a government they need to do something about the cost of prescription drugs."

Medicare is currently providing coverage for about 40 million people in the United States, but a prescription drug program is missing in the system, Mrs. Lemley said.

"Seniors statistically have the greatest need for prescription drugs," she said. "But, they are the least likely to have prescription coverage and they pay more for medications than any other age group."

If drug coverage were available through the Medicare program, the participation of so many people could possibly lower prescription drug costs, she added.

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital sees the need for a prescription drug plan but there are items that need to be considered when writing the plan, officials said.

"There definitely needs to be a plan for prescription drugs, especially for the elderly," said Mike Stautberg, OLBH’s vice president for public relations and development.

Hospitals across the country realize that prescription drug cost is an issue but anyone writing drug plans today should make sure the delivery system for all medications – the materials that enclose the ingredients – is not affected, he added.

He said the medicine may be the same but the coating around it could be different, which concerns doctors.

The effects of drug plans on the actual drug manufacturers has hospitals worried, too, Stautberg said.

"We don’t want drug companies penalized, because they’re putting in all the costs of research and development," he said.

Despite how the candidates’ potential drug plans might affect drug manufacturers, Lemley said the real issue is providing senior citizens with an affordable plan.

"We believe that if an individual is enrolled in Medicare, they should be able to choose to pay an extra premium for dependable and affordable prescription coverage," Ms. Lemley said. "It’s time for those who use medications the most, Americans over 65, to get some kind of drug coverage and discounts most other Americans with health insurance have access to."

Tribune Staff Writer Allen Blair contributed to this article.