Buckley points out Nevada drug plan’s flaws

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001 | 11:15 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The fledgling, foundering Nevada plan to provide affordable prescription drugs to seniors is a good example of why state plans aren't working and drugs should be covered under Medicare, Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley told Congress today.

Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said the Senior Rx plan launched by Gov. Kenny Guinn is well intentioned but still too expensive for many of the state's elderly.

The plan establishes a $74 monthly fee with a $100 deductable. Generic drugs cost $10. The state pays up to $40 of the monthly fee.

"I am pleased that our state chose to go forward (with a plan) instead of waiting for Congress to act -- no offense meant," Buckley told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's health subcommittee. "The program, however, has many shortcomings."

Only 189 people have been accepted into the program that began in January, although nearly 1,500 have applied, Buckley said, adding that it's a "confusing" plan for many.

Buckley was one of seven witnesses as Congress began tackling the complex issue of prescription medication plans today. She joined the health insurance industry, drug store and HMO officials, as well as an 81-year-old Florida grandmother with $2,300 in annual drug costs or 10 percent of her income. Sylvia Kessler said she pays expenses with two part-time jobs at a flea market and her local election board.

"Without these two part-time jobs and some financial help from my children -- thank God -- I would have to choose between food and my medications," Kessler said. "And I don't think I could make it without either of them for very long."

Many in Congress say they will put aside partisan bickering and craft a new plan to bring relief to seniors with soaring drug bills. Lawmakers swapped stories about their suffering constituents and even their own mothers who struggle with the high cost of medications.

"It's not a question of whether we do it, it's how we do it and do it right," committee Chairman Billy Tauzin, R-La., said.

Buckley described the rocky start of Senior Rx. Among the plan's flaws is that it sets aside $4.2 million to help about 10,000 seniors earning less than $21,500, but another 100,000 seniors in that income bracket are left out.

"These excluded seniors should not have to choose between paying their power bill and affording prescription drugs -- a very real choice right now," Buckley, Assembly majority leader, said.

Buckley added that the Nevada Legislature would try to improve the plan during this year's session, but "our state resources are strapped in implementing new programs."

According to one statistic, about 34 percent of an average senior's health care costs go for prescription drugs.