Maryland Lawmakers Propose Adding Funding to State Budget for Prescription Drug Programs

Maryland state lawmakers plan to ask Gov. Parris Glendening (D) to add up to $20 million to the state budget to help "tens of thousands" of seniors to purchase prescription drugs, the Washington Post reports. State Senate Finance Committee Chair Thomas Bromwell (D) said March 6 that he expects his committee to vote this week on a bill to spend up to $20 million to help 100,000 Maryland residents who lack "adequate" prescription drug coverage. In the state House, Economic Matters Committee Chair Michael Busch (D) said that members decided March 5 to allocate an additional $13 million to $16 million for prescription drug programs, hoping to help between 30,000 and 40,000 state residents purchase pharmaceuticals. "We're trying to craft a program that will provide some relief for our priority, which is senior citizens," Busch said, adding that the committee will likely approve a bill as early as next week. Although senior advocates have recommended larger measures, Busch said that the proposed plan "will allow us to put together something fairly substantive." However, Glendening -- who did not include funding for a prescription drug program in his FY 2002 budget -- "strongly" opposes spending state funds to tackle the issue, which he considers a "federal responsibility." Glendening spokesperson Michael Morrill said, "The governor is very concerned about the issue, [but] he believes this must have a federal solution and expects that the federal government will move on the promises that have been made."

'Drying Up on the Vine'?
Some Maryland lawmakers said that "they see no reason to wait" for federal action. "We've heard Congress talk about taking up a patients' bill of rights for 10 years now. It's the same thing with prescription drugs," Busch said, adding, "If we waited for Congress to address all the issues we need addressed, we'd all be drying up on the vine." While lawmakers in the state House and Senate have not introduced a plan, they have considered a number of proposals, including:

• Expanding the Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program, which allows those not eligible for Medicaid with incomes up to 116% of the federal poverty level to purchase drugs with a $5 co-payment;
• Requesting a waiver from the federal government that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to purchase drugs at the discounted rate charged to those enrolled in Medicaid;
• Establishing a tax credit for higher-income seniors who spend a large percentage of their incomes on prescription drugs;
• Expanding programs, such as MEDBANK of Maryland Inc., that help low-income residents obtain free prescription drugs offered by manufacturers.