Nevada Governor Withdraws Proposal to Increase Premium Subsidy for State’s Prescription Drug Program for Seniors

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R) on Feb. 8 pulled from legislative consideration a proposal to expand a subsidy for premium costs of Senior Rx, the state's prescription drug program for seniors, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The proposal would have earmarked an additional $1 million, likely shifted from the state's $4.8 million Division of Aging Services budget, to help low-income seniors pay monthly enrollment premiums for the program. Senior citizens currently receive a maximum state subsidy of $40 per month toward the program's $74 monthly premium, with enrollees paying the remainder. Guinn's proposal would have covered the remaining $34 monthly fee for seniors who earn less than $12,700 per year. The Guinn administration pulled the proposal "just prior" to a joint meeting of the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees. Denice Miller, Guinn's senior policy adviser, said Guinn still plans to propose legislation to cover the full premium cost of Senior Rx for the "poorest citizens," but provided no explanation for the proposal's withdrawal, saying that details will be revealed at a later date. She added, "There is a better way to do it. This was a stopgap measure. The goal is the state would come up with the entire subsidy for the neediest." Guinn's "highly touted" Senior Rx program, launched Jan. 1, has enrolled 184 seniors; 3,000 seniors are expected to enroll in the program this year, according the Review-Journal. In addition to the monthly premium, seniors pay an annual deductible of $100. Through the program, seniors can purchase generic prescription drugs for $10 and name-brand drugs for 50% of the actual cost (Vogel, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/9).