|
||||
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Prescription Drug Help For Veterans In Long-term Care Clears CommitteeSenator Gib Armstrong's effort to enable veterans residing in long-term care facilities to receive prescription drugs at a lower cost was unanimously approved by the Appropriations Committee and is in position for a vote by the full Senate. The goal is to have the facility pharmacy – whether in-house or contracted – receive prescription drugs in the patient's name directly from the Veteran's Administration, and then repackage the drugs so they can be dispensed in unit doses. From a practical standpoint, the Armstrong bill seeks to bring about cooperation between the federal and state levels of government and the private providers, and builds in protection against errors in the process. "This is a common sense and cost effective way to get our veterans the prescription drugs they need. As the system is set up now, those in long-term care facilities do not get the services in the manner or at the cost others can in different settings. Our hope is that this change in state law will compel the changes at the federal level needed to eliminate the difficulty," Armstrong said. "This is another step in fulfilling our obligation to look after those who served our nation," he added. Armstrong said the idea for the legislation (Senate Bill 778) came from veterans receiving care at Willow Valley. |
|||
