| Press Release |
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| March 17, 2005 |
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Governor Celebrates Prescription Drug Program and Calls for Expansion
More than 1300 Oregonians now have access to affordable medicine; Kulongoski calls on legislature to expand the program for more individuals and businesses
(Salem, OR) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today called for the expansion of the Oregon Prescription Drug Purchasing Program at Brooklyn Pharmacy in Portland and highlighted the progress made already in providing access to affordable prescription drugs in the two weeks since the program launched. The Governor was joined by Senator Bill Morissette and Representative Mitch Greenlick – two of the sponsors of the legislation that created the program during the 2003 legislative session.
“One of my guiding principles for Oregon’s future is to meet the basic health, food, and shelter needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Too many Oregonians have to choose between these three basic needs, which is simply unacceptable.”
In Oregon, 17% of residents – 609,000 – do not have health insurance coverage. Many of those who do have coverage have prohibitively high deductibles and co-pays and they are paying most of the cost of their medicine out of pocket.
The Oregon Prescription Drug Program makes prescription drugs available at the lowest possible cost to participants in the program; reimburses pharmacies for prescription drugs in order to receive discounted prices and rebates; and maintains a list of prescription drugs recommended as the most effective prescription drugs available at the best possible prices.
Under the current program, eligible enrollees must be 54 years of age or older, have a household income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level ($17,705/year for an individual; $23,736 for a couple) and be uninsured, having gone at least six months without prescription drug coverage. Public entities – such as state agencies and local governments – are also eligible to participate.
Legislation introduced in the Senate this session would expand the program to more individuals and allow private businesses to participate as well.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can to ensure that all Oregonians who need help affording their medicines get the help they need,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Expanding this program is one way we can move forward toward this goal and I am committed to working with both parties and both chambers of the legislature to make expansion a priority for the 2005 legislative session.”
The Governor was also joined by several Oregonians who have already seen benefits in the two weeks since the program launched:
- Phyllis Weber, Albany – Ms. Weber has a disabled son and had stopped taking her own drugs because she couldn’t afford both. Now enrolled in the Oregon Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool, she will save over 30% – $708 per year – on four medications.
- Joe Mahoney, Portland – Mr. Mahoney is diabetic who pays, on average, more than $800 per month, out-of-pocket. Mr. Mahoney tried unsuccessfully to enroll in other prescription drug programs but found the Oregon Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool easier to understand and navigate.
- Mike Dardis, Portland – Mr. Dardis, owner of the Brooklyn Pharmacy, decided to participate in the program because of his experience serving the uninsured.
For more details about how the program operates, call OPDP Administrator Missy Dolan at (503) 378-2422 ext. 414
Applications for enrollment are available at www.opdp.org or by calling AARP at 1-866-554-5360.
Media Contacts:
Holly Armstrong, (503) 378-6169
Anna Richter Taylor, (503) 378-6496
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