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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. James E. Casorio, Jr. |
  
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Casorio votes to preserve prescription benefits for veterans in nursing homes
HARRISBURG, Sept. 22 – State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, said the state House of Representatives has voted to allow veterans living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to keep their prescription-drug benefits from the Veterans Administration.
"The state's law governing pharmacists forces many veterans to give up their VA prescription benefit when they move into a nursing home or other care facility," Casorio said. "We need to change the law so veterans can continue to save money while having access to the medicines they need."
Current pharmacy law in Pennsylvania prohibits pharmacists and pharmacies in nursing homes from repackaging or redistributing prescription medicines purchased from other sources. That means veterans in nursing homes cannot purchase medicine directly from the VA – at a cost of only $8 a month – because it usually comes in 90-dose containers. Veterans in nursing homes instead are forced to purchase medicine from the nursing home pharmacy in single-dose containers.
The bill Casorio voted for, which was passed unanimously by the state House, would permit pharmacies and pharmacists in nursing homes to repackage and redistribute prescription drugs purchased by resident veterans from the Veterans Administration.
"The current law costs many veterans hundreds and even thousands of dollars extra in prescription costs, and it's not fair," Casorio said. "Veterans in nursing homes deserve their VA prescription benefit just as much as other veterans, and they should be able to take advantage of that benefit. Pennsylvania needs to make this change in the law so they can."
The legislation (H.B. 2034) is similar to a bill that Casorio co-sponsored earlier this legislative session. The bill is now being considered by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.
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