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Smith urges aid in drug plan transition

The candidate for governor requests the state cover those lost in the federal Medicare switch.

TALLAHASSEE - State Sen. Rod Smith, a Democratic candidate for governor, wrote to Gov. Jeb Bush Monday to ask that the state pay for drugs for residents who have had problems with the shift of their prescription drug coverage from a state program to the federal Medicare program and who have been unable to afford their medicine.

Smith's rival for the Democratic nomination, U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa, made a similar call earlier, as have other Democrats in Congress and in the state House.

"The federal government has acknowledged the problems, and has said that this is part of the transition," Smith of Alachua said in his letter. "However, we have a responsibility to do more to help our citizens during this difficult time."

Elderly and disabled people who are eligible for both the state Medicaid program and the federal Medicare program had their prescription coverage shifted into Medicare at the beginning of the year. Some have reported problems getting prescriptions covered because pharmacists don't have a record of their enrollment in Medicare.

Bush's health care secretary, Alan Levine, met Monday with federal officials to discuss the problem. His spokesman said Florida's Medicaid program is offering to assist pharmacists in verifying those eligible for the low-income subsidy.

[Last modified January 24, 2006, 00:55:20]