McBride Declares Victory in Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Race; Reno Yet To Concede

Although political newcomer Bill McBride on Sept. 12 claimed victory with 44.5% of the vote in Florida's Democratic gubernatorial primary race, election officials have yet to announce the official results, the New York Times reports. Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, who at last count had 43.9% of the vote, has not conceded (Canedy, New York Times, 9/13). The election, which has been "marked by massive polling errors," may not be decided until Tuesday, when official certification from the counties is due (Cotterell, Tallahassee Democrat, 9/13). As part of her campaign, Reno proposed a new state prescription drug discount program for seniors modeled after similar programs in Maine and Michigan. The program would give enrolled seniors up to a 65% discount on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies, and the state would pay drugstores the difference and be reimbursed by drug companies. Seniors would pay a one-time membership fee of up to $25 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 7/19). Reno also proposed raising the income eligibility limit for the state's CHIP program, Florida KidCare, from 200% of the federal poverty level to 300%, or from an annual income of $36,200 to an income of $54,000 for a family of four (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 8/14).