Tobacco money to go to seniors

Tuesday, March 28, 2000 | 9:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Bids are being sought from private insurance companies to run a state program subsidized by tobacco-settlement money to help low-income senior citizens pay for prescription drugs.

State Human Resources Director Charlotte Crawford said Monday 36 invitations have been sent out to companies, and more than 1,600 other insurance firms licensed to do business in Nevada have been notified of the project.

The program, proposed by Gov. Kenny Guinn and ratified by the 1999 Legislature, calls for part of the annual tobacco settlement money received by the state to go toward this prescription drug program, which could help an estimated 10,000 people 62 and older.

Crawford told the Task Force for the Fund for a Healthy Nevada that the tobacco money will allow a subsidy of up to $40 a month per person to pay insurance costs. The individual will have to kick in the rest of the premium.

The program is expected to begin this fall. To be eligible a person must be 62 or older, earn less than $21,500 a year, be a resident of Nevada for one year and not be on Medicaid.

Crawford said the bids will be assessed according to variety of prescription drugs and rated on the ease of access to the drugs, the price and other items.

Those admitted into the program will be prioritized based on income. A prescription drug program is being considered through Medicare, but so far nothing has been passed.