Originally published March 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 22, 2007 at 2:00 AM
Editorial
Third try works for Rx card plan
Washington state's latest attempt to give thousands of uninsured residents a price break on prescription drugs holds great...
Washington state's latest attempt to give thousands of uninsured residents a price break on prescription drugs holds great promise for a group of consumers who genuinely need help.
It is a poorly kept secret that the uninsured, often the working poor, pay full retail prices for medication. Far too often, it becomes a choice between eating or medicating. Starting Feb. 1, the uninsured can get a card that provides a range of prescription-drug discounts. Depending on whether drugs are name-brand, generic or ordered by mail, price breaks range from 16 to 67 percent off dreaded full retail.
This is by no means the full solution to the health-care crisis confounding the uninsured. And this is not the same as health insurance whereby drugs may be paid in $5, $10 and $20 co-pays. But if this program works, it would take some edge off the high cost of prescription drugs.
Under current conditions, many uninsured go without needed drugs and end up costing the overall health-care system exorbitant amounts with otherwise preventable trips to the emergency room.
The biggest challenge is getting the word out so a critical mass of people participate. The plan is based on the idea of pooling the purchasing power of the uninsured, then eventually combining it with the purchasing power of state agencies and, perhaps, private business and local governments.
The new program involves a handy card that makes Washington one of about a dozen states to use the clout of the uninsured to gain discounts. The program is commendable and unique because it is open to anyone, any age — even people who already have insurance. Though designed for the uninsured, its longer-term success hinges on broader participation with other entities.
Our state has tried for many years to ease the burden on the working poor, only to have programs nullified by lawsuits or an overload of restrictions.
Gov. Christine Gregoire and former Gov. Gary Locke have tried to get at the high cost of prescription drugs with programs that begin with high hopes and end for a variety of reasons.
The latest program, a third try, is well thought out and works with a similar Oregon program. This plan does not compel drug stores to participate as an earlier effort did, but roughly 400 of 1,300 pharmacies statewide have agreed to take part. In the Puget Sound area, the card is accepted at Albertson's, Fred Meyer, QFC and Safeway.
The health-care crisis cries out for many solutions. Washington's new card for the uninsured is a small but important part of making a difference.
NEW - 12:45 AM
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: The peril of lower standards in the 'new journalism'
George Will / Syndicated columnist: Huckabee's detour from reason in Obama theory
Lance Dickie / Seattle Times editorial columnist: Empower health care reform close to home
Rewind | Seattle Times Editorial Board interviews school officials
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: When punishment is a crime

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
Adorable Bull Terrier puppies for good home...
AKC Great Dane Puppies Ready
AKC PAL/ILP Registered Labs
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
504 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
398 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
346 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
322 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
112 - Rough road again
108 - A few late-night notes
96 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
76 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
