Saturday, Jan.21, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
HHS Responds to Blunt’s Call to Protect Medicare Recipients
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today met with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, who made a trip to St. Louis in response to Blunt’s letter and request for action to ensure Missourians on federal Medicare have access to prescription drugs. Blunt is committed to working with the national health agency to protect Missouri seniors and help implement the new federal Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Part D, program.
"The federal government still has work to do to with Part D, but I am confident that we can work with them to help this important program become a success and a benefit for seniors in our state," Blunt said. "I appreciate Sec. Leavitt’s quick response to my call to protect Missouri seniors, and I look forward to working with him to ensure Missourians have access to the medicines they need."
As the federal health agency continues to address challenges with Part D implementation and to protect access to critical prescriptions, Blunt has directed the Missouri Department of Social Services to add some of the affected recipients who are both Medicare and Medicaid eligible back onto the state Medicaid rolls. The state is working with the federal government to determine how Missouri will be compensated for related expenses.
In addition to Blunt’s letter to Leavitt last week, his office also contacted Missouri’s congressional delegation urging them to support the governor’s call for prompt decisive action from Washington. Blunt will continue to work with his Department of Social Services, the federal health agency and Missouri’s representatives in Washington to protect seniors struggling with Part D implementation.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder serves as Missouri’s official senior advocate and also participated in the meeting.
"Governor Blunt has shown timely and active leadership with his emergency plan for Medicare Rx. We are all working to make sure that Missouri Seniors receive the help they need to assist them in accessing and using the new Medicare Rx program," Kinder said.
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