Editorial: Drug plan gets better at long last

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 | 8:42 a.m.

The state of Nevada's prescription drug program for low-income seniors reached a milestone of sorts two months ago when it met its enrollment goal more than a year ahead of schedule. At the beginning of October, 3,500-plus seniors were enrolled in the program, which actually is administered by a private insurance company selected by state government. The program continues to grow, with 5,000 seniors enrolled at the beginning of December. The steady increase in enrollment is welcome news for the important program, which aims to keep seniors from having to choose between buying groceries or paying for prescriptions because of the high cost of drugs.

The program, which was the brainchild of Gov. Kenny Guinn, had trouble getting off the ground in the summer of 2000. At that time the state had been unsuccessful in finding an insurer to run the program -- more than 800 invitations went out to companies but only one applied. The state's lack of success in privatizing the service even became a focal point of debate in Congress, as Democrats used the Republican governor's difficulties as a reason why a federal prescription drug program for seniors should be run by the government, not by private companies.

The controversy over Nevada's program continued into the 2001 Legislature, as Guinn sparred with Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, over the program's fate. Buckley wanted the state to run the program, but Guinn preferred privatization. Eventually Guinn and Buckley reached a reasonable compromise. Two private companies still administer the benefit, but Buckley's suggestion to eliminate the monthly $30 premium was adopted, making it more affordable for seniors to enroll. And Buckley added accountability to the program, requiring that if 3,500 seniors weren't enrolled by the end of 2002, then the state would take over the program.

The state's effort to provide prescription drugs for low-income seniors is an important step, but the benefits are modest and don't extend to all seniors since it's restricted to those who make less than $21,000 a year. Still, even this basic program, which required concessions by both Democrats and Republicans, is better than the partisan stalemate in Congress that has blocked any agreement to provide national coverage for prescription drugs.