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Iowa Attorney General Announces Low-Income Prescription Drug Program

On September 22, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a new $420,000 program to provide prescription drugs to state residents earning up to 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. Under the program, which is funded with Iowa’s share of a Federal settlement with Caremark Rx and EIS, qualifying residents would get prescriptions for as low as $3 a month for 3 months.

Montana Alters Employee Drug Coverage To Increase Effectiveness and Cut Cost

Beginning January 1, 2010, the Montana Health Care and Benefits Division will implement a new pricing system for prescription drugs under state employee health plans. The move, which is expected to save the state $6.3 million annually, will categorize drugs into six classes (A through F) of clinical and cost-effectiveness and assess copayments based on class. Class A drugs will be free to enrollees, while Class F drugs will paid entirely out of pocket.

California Governor Signs Measure To Increase CHIP Funding

On September 22, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed a bill (AB 1422) to increase Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding and maintain state-sponsored insurance for 700,000 children. The bill, which the California Legislature approved September 3 (Financing News Pulse, September 9 edition), will raise $194 million annually for the state’s Healthy Families Program.

Ohio Attorney General Awards Grants to Police Departments To Support Drug Abuse Prevention in Schools

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has awarded $2.8 million in Drug Use Prevention grants to 175 police departments to support drug abuse prevention efforts in schools. A $75 license reinstatement fee paid by drivers convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated supports the grant fund.

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