February 23, 2006 - Town Hall Meeting - Ohio Rx Program
by Jennifer Garrison
Feb. 25, 2006
State Representative Jennifer Garrison Holds Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, February 23, 2006
State Representative Jennifer Garrison, held a public meeting at the O’ Neil Senior Citizens Center on Thursday evening, February 23, 2006 to discuss Ohio’s Best RX Program and Ohio’s unused prescription drugs program.
Ohio’s best RX program is a discount prescription drug program that began in January, 2005. Currently 61,000 participants saved $3.7 million dollars. However the public does not know about this program. It is estimated 500,000 Ohioans are eligible that do not participate.
Garrison says, “I am holding this meeting to make the public aware that low income and middle income families, and all Ohioans over age 60, can receive up to 50% off of their prescription drugs. This is a great program because it is a prescription discount program arranged with pharmacy’s and drug companies in Ohio. It is not a prescription insurance program.”
There is no sign up fee.
Income Eligibility for the Best Rx prescription drug card is 250% of federal poverty levels-
Family of 1 can earn up to $23,940 a year
Family of 2 can earn up to $32,100 a year
Family of 3 can earn up to $40,236 a year
Family of 4 can earn up to $48,396 a year
Family of 5 can earn up to $58,500 a year
Family of 6 can earn up to $67,000 a year
A bill in the Ohio legislature will increase the income eligibility limits to 300% of the federal poverty level.
Family of 1 can earn up to $29,400
Family of 2 can earn up to $39,600
Family of 3 can earn up to $49,800
Family of 4 can earn up to $60,000
Family of 5 can earn up to $70,200
Family of 6 can earn up to $80,400
Garrison says, " I am holding this meeting because approximately 500,000 Ohioans are eligible for this incredible prescription drug program that are not signed up for it and do not know about it. With prescription drugs being so expensive, I want all individuals and families who do not have prescription drug insurance to know about this program"
Garrison also discussed Ohio’s Drug Repository Program, also known as the unused drug program. This law came about because a husband was outraged that his wife Karon’s, unused expensive cancer drugs were destroyed after her death. This program which is voluntary has not taken off.
Senate Bill 228, being debated in the Ohio Senate would make it mandatory for these drugs to be donated to low income recipients. The goal is for the majority of these unused drugs to go to free clinics.
“I am pleased to see that because Senate Bill 228 was introduced, nursing home pharmacy providers are now willing to voluntarily participate in the program. Ohio Free Clinics will likely be the beneficiaries of these expensive drugs. Free clinic participants all over the state will benefit.” Garrison says.