County okays drug discount card

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature’s Health and Family Services Committee approved a resolution last week which, when endorsed by the full Legislature, will allow all residents to join a free, discount prescription drug plan.

The pilot plan is available through the National Association of Counties and administered by Advanced PCS/Caremark.

Committee Chair Ron Hiatt said the plan could provide up to a 25-percent savings to consumers. “We all know that, with the rising cost of medications, this program could benefit everyone from senior citizens to families that are budgeting every penny.”

Under the plan Caremark will enroll area pharmacies to participate and provide discount drug brochures and cards.

Hiatt anticipated that the working poor and seniors would get the most out of the program, as the program’s target population is people without health insurance. Many of these people do not have access to state and federal programs or are employed at jobs that don’t provide benefits.

Hiatt credited Tula Brown of the Senior Legislative Action Committee (SLAC) for directing him to the program. “SLAC did the heavy lifting on this proposal,” he said.

Legislative Chair Chris Cunningham was also impressed with SLAC’s efforts in finding a program that met the county’s needs. “There is strength in numbers. We will be partnering with many other counties across the country that are in the same situation as Sullivan County.

“Health and healthcare are two of the most important issues facing Americans today. People in need of medication have enough to worry about. Saving them money on these medications will help in a lot of ways and the county will be better for it.”

The full legislature will address the committee resolution at their regular monthly meeting on November 18.