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Bill would provide money to seniors for drugs

February 8, 2000
By: Aaron Cummins
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 1450

A lobbyist for the elderly spoke in favor of a bill that would provide subsidies for prescription drugs last night/Tuesday night in the Capitol. Aaron Cummins has more--

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The plan would provide assistance to low-income seniors who spend more than $500 a year on medication.

American Association of Retired Persons representative Gordon Butler says the program would help lots of people.

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Contents: Butler says 30% of seniors get no money for drugs and 20% spend more than $1,500 on medication every year.

Under the plan, a person could be reimbursed up to $1,000 each year.

The program would cost the state more than $30 million dollars annually with money coming from the tobacco settlement, federal grants, or a cigarette tax.

From Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.


The sponsor of a bill to provide subsidies for prescription drugs says he'd support a 5 cent cigarette tax increase to pay for the program. Aaron Cummins has more from Jefferson City--

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Under the plan, low-income seniors could be reimbursed up $1,000 each year for medication.

That would cost the state an estimated $30 million dollars.

Representative Jim Froelker (FROW-ker) says funding would come from the tobacco settlement, federal grants, or a cigarette tax.

Froelker says the program is important because of rising drug costs.

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Contents: Froelker says the many new drugs to help people have also driven up the cost for seniors.

The bill is under review by a House committee.

From the state Capitol, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.