CMS News
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: |
| Wednesday, November 07, 2001 | CMS Office of Public Affairs 202-690-6145 |
For questions about Medicare please call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov. |
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STATEMENT OF TOM SCULLY, ADMINISTRATOR CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES ON MEDICARE-ENDORSED RX DISCOUNT DRUG CARD PROGRAM
We are very pleased with the court’s decision allowing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to move forward with plans for notice and comment on a prescription discount card program. The Administration’s efforts to offer a Medicare-endorsed prescription drug card would provide necessary relief to the millions of seniors and disabled Americans whom are forced to pay full price for their prescriptions. Earlier this fall, we received 28 applications for the program that offer significant discounts and pharmaceutical benefits, including applications from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and consumer and retail pharmacy organizations.
We believe a drug discount plan is a first step to provide needed help to seniors—but not a substitute for a drug benefit. At the same time, we will continue to work with Congress on the President’s proposals for Medicare reform, including a prescription drug benefit. Seniors deserve access to the same kind of prescription drug discounts that most other Americans enjoy. We are committed to provide discounts that are available now to most other Americans to millions of seniors as soon as possible.
