« Dominatrix acquitted of manslaughter | Today | Photo: Charles Street back on track »

January 30, 2006

Carcieri extends prescription drug coverage

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri said today he is extending the state's coverage of prescription drug costs for senior citizens and adults with disabilities who were transferred from the federal Medicaid program to the new federal Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

Earlier this month, Carcieri signed an executive order directing that Rhode Island’s system for paying the costs of these prescriptions through the Medicaid program, which had been terminated on Jan. 1, be re-instituted.

Today, Carcieri said he will sign another order directing that state coverage be continue for another month or until the federal government resolves its problems with implemeting the Medicare D program.

The governor also said that the federal government has promised to reimburse Rhode Island for its expenses in covering the cost of the drugs.

Carcieri also directed Jane Hayward, secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Corinne Russo, director of the Department of Elderly Affairs, to hold public meetings aimed at finding out what problems or concerns the state's seniors may have about the new drug program.

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 4:15 PM | Permalink