April 4, 2008

Weitzman reaches out to coalition of State unions & NY Public Interest
Research Group to discuss a state-wide drug discount card

Nassau’s RxCard has saved residents OVER $8 M and can do the same state-wide

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman met yesterday with representatives of the New York State Interest and Research Group (NYPIRG) to discuss a proposal to implement a state-wide drug discount card for those who do not have insurance, much like Nassau County’s NassauRx prescription drug discount card that Weitzman created in 2004. The NassauRx card provides a discount, averaging 24 percent, for those who do not have drug insurance – and the program costs taxpayers nothing.  The program has saved Nassau residents more than $8 million dollars since it began in 2004.

Comptroller Weitzman traveled to Albany to meet with NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner and Russ Haven, NYPIRG legislative counsel, to give a presentation of Nassau’s drug discount card program and to answer questions.

“The response was very enthusiastic and I will be providing NYPPIRG with details on how we implemented the successful program here in Nassau,” said Weitzman. The Comptroller will be scheduling a future meeting with NYPIRG and other interested parties to discuss the discount drug program.

Weitzman contacted NYPIRG officials after learning that a coalition of seven labor unions and AARP had expressed interest in pursuing the implementation of a state-wide drug discount card. Those organizations include the New York State United Teachers and the Business and Labor Coalition of New York; Civil Service Employees Association; Public Employees Federation; Consumers Union; and the New York Public Interest Research Group.

The NassauRx program is the largest one of its kind in the nation and is available to all Nassau residents, regardless of age, income, or insured status.  With the card, county residents can save an average of 24 percent on almost all prescription medications, and up to 50 percent on generic drugs, at more than 90 percent of Nassau pharmacies.  The card is free and requires no enrollment forms or fees and is administered by Caremark. 

“In 2007, more than 5,500 seniors saved over $700,000 by using the NassauRx card.  We believe that many of them use our card to reduce the impact of the ‘doughnut hole’ period, which requires them to pay full price for their medications,” Comptroller Weitzman said.  “It is extremely important that seniors continue taking their prescribed medication even when their insurance plan hits this coverage gap, and NassauRx is helping them to do just that,” Weitzman said.

When total drug costs of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D exceed $2,400 per year, they hit the coverage gap, commonly referred to as the “doughnut hole.”  They then have to pay 100 percent of drug costs until their out-of-pocket costs reach $3,850.