Senators seek to reimburse states for meds
By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer | January 18, 2006
WASHINGTON --A bipartisan group of senators said Wednesday they would work to reimburse states for expenses incurred because of problems with the new Medicare drug benefit.
The federal government took on the responsibility Jan. 1 of subsidizing prescription drug costs for low-income seniors and the disabled, which previously occurred through Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor.
But some people have had trouble getting their medicine during the transition, so many states have stepped in to help pay for it.
"The unexpected costs to the states will likely be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," 14 Democratic governors said in a letter sent to President Bush on Tuesday.
(snip/...)
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/18/senators_seek_to_reimburse_states_for_meds/