The Journalist's Creed Headlines  NewsBook: MDN headlines   NewsNow: Headlines from across the state  NewsViews: Editorials across the state  Twitter: MDN's tweets Stories  Search  2010  Text Search  By Date  By Subject  By Reporter  Blogs  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 Data 2010 August Primary Results  2011 Proposed Budget  Registered Lobbyists  Meeting Notices  Bills  House Roster  Senate Roster  Calendars  Supreme Court Dockets  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 NewsLive MDN Map

Bill would provide money to seniors for drugs

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--

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.

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--

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.

The bill is under review by a House committee.

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