Senior Citizens Could Get Break on Prescription Drugs

A bill designed to give senior citizens a break on prescription drugs now protects your local pharmacist as well. It would limit what pharmacies participating in the Medicaid program can charge Medicare recipients for prescription drugs. Supporters say it would provide up to a 15% price break.Representative Patrick Naeger of Perryville amends the bill to ensure the Medicaid rate is the lowest reimbursement rate. He says it protects taxpayers who pay for Medicaid. Sponsor Mark Abel of Festus doesn’t buy it.Naeger responds Abel’s bill lowers drug costs for the elderly and his amendment keeps big insurance from squeezing the local pharmacist.But Abel says the amendment will raise health care costs. The amendment sticks and the bill wins preliminary approval.