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AARP Launches Prescription Drug Affordability Campaign

By Jody Olson, Associate State Director/Communications, AARP, Nevada

(Las Vegas, NV) -- On the heels of passage of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, AARP has launched a “Prescription Drug Affordability Campaign” as part of its efforts to see effective cost containments enacted. “This is our next step in lowering the costs of prescription drugs,” said Marlene Rengert AARP Nevada State President

At the federal level, AARP continues to work with Congress to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices. In addition, the organization is calling for importation legislation that would make it possible for Americans to legally buy drugs from Canada and other countries. “While AARP believes importation is not a long-term solution to the problem it’s a current necessity in helping more people afford their prescriptions.” Said Jody Olson Associate State Director of Communications.

As part the campaign, AARP CEO Bill Novelli recently sent a letter to 16 pharmaceutical companies asking them to voluntarily limit price increases on drugs to the rate of
inflation. Last year, prices for brand name prescriptions rose three times faster than the cost of living. Containing drug costs is critical to the health and security of the elderly and disabled and to making the Medicare prescription drug benefit a success.

AARP also announced that it would begin monitoring the prices of specific drugs and reporting the findings to its members and the general public.

The first phase of the new Medicare prescription drug law takes effect in May when Medicare beneficiaries will be able to sign up for temporary prescription drug discount cards.

The cards will be available
in June for use until the Medicare
prescription drug benefit goes into effect in 2006. The cards will be offered through private companies and will provide discounts of between 10 to 15%. “The discounts will vary from card to card and each plan will be slightly different so it will be important that people shop around for the best card for them,” said Olson.

The prescription drug benefit under Medicare is voluntary but there may be a penalty applied for people who do not sign up during its initial enrollment period of November 15, 2005 to May 15 of 2006. There is much to understand about this new law and AARP is engaged in helping people with this process by providing information about its benefits through our web site, our publications and our public forums. If people would like more information about the plan they may visit www.aarp.org/nv or call toll free
1-866-389-5652.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative,
regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members.