Special Interest Groups Spent More Than 2,200 Hours Lobbying Wisconsin Lawmakers on State Prescription Drug Program

Special interest groups ranging from senior citizens' advocates to pharmaceutical companies spent more than 2,200 hours and "at least" $102,000 over the past six months lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers on a variety of prescription drug plans, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. State lawmakers ultimately compromised and approved a $78 million program to subsidize seniors' prescriptions as part of the state's 2001-03 budget. During the debate to reach the "nearly final product," which must still be approved by Gov. Scott McCallum (R), more than 20 groups lobbied on the issue. For example, Wisconsin Citizen Action spent $15,400 and 612 hours in a failed effort to have lawmakers waive a deductible for seniors annually earning less than 200% FPL, or $17,180 for an individual. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spent 70 hours and $14,900 to push lawmakers to remove the current requirement that patients receive prior authorization for brand name prescriptions. State Sen. Judy Robson (D), who sponsored the primary legislation, said that lobbying efforts by AARP, Citizen Action and the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups "played a big role in getting a decent compromise passed." If McCallum approves the final plan, about 260,000 Wisconsin seniors will be eligible for assistance (Wyatt, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/8). For further information on state health policy in Wisconsin, visit State Health Facts Online.