April 3, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROMWELL BILL FOR SENIOR DRUG DISCOUNTS PASSES LEGISLATURE

Delegate Eric Bromwell (D. Baltimore County 8^th) said, “General Assembly approval of my bill, HB 211, is a victory for the many seniors who will be able to obtain discounts on prescription drugs.”

The Bromwell proposal, an emergency bill, which will become effective as soon as the Governor signs it, expands the senior Prescription Drug Subsidy Plan to serve more people.

Currently, the discount drug plan is limited to an enrollment of 30,000 Medicare seniors who have no prescription insurance coverage. CareFirst, which administers the program, has indicated that additional funds are available to serve more than 30,000 enrollees.

The program, enacted in 2001, enables Medicare seniors, whose incomes are $25,770 for singles and $34,830 for couples to obtain $1,000 worth of prescription drugs annually for a monthly premium of $10. Those in the program pay no deductible, but are subject to a co-payment of $10 for a generic drug, $20 for a brand name drug and $35 for a non-preferred brand.

Delegate Bromwell said that, “CareFirst has estimated there will be about 5,000 people who will benefit from the passage of HB 211 into law.” For more information or to enroll in the program, call 800-972-4612.

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CONTACT: Delegate Bromwell

410-841-3766