Nebraska AARP Calls for State-Subsidized Prescription Drug Program

The Nebraska chapter of AARP on Sept. 12 released the results of a survey documenting the lack of prescription drug access for the state's seniors and calling for state legislators to subsidize seniors' medication costs, the Omaha World-Herald reports. The survey found that 59% of Nebraska seniors have no drug coverage, seniors pay an average of $75 per month for prescription drugs and one in 10 seniors pays $500 or more a month. The survey also found that 78% of residents age 50 and older favor a state-sponsored drug plan, with 84% supporting copayments and 74% supporting deductibles under such a program. While 33% of seniors said they would support an income tax increase to pay for a drug plan, a majority of seniors said the state should increase cigarette taxes or use money from the state's share of the national tobacco settlement. The Nebraska AARP chapter unveiled its own proposal for state drug coverage. Under a $12 million-per-year plan, the state would cover 25% to 75% of drug costs for seniors with annual incomes less than $22,150 and would give to seniors with incomes up to $44,300 drug discounts similar to those Medicaid beneficiaries receive. The maximum annual benefit would be between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on income (Olson, Omaha World-Herald, 9/13).