Delay On "Tamper Resistant" Rx Pads Passes House And Senate

As I mentioned yesterday Rep. Charlie Wilson and Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich have been working to delay a requirement that prescriptions be written on tamper resistant paper to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The delay is necessary to allow time to meet the new demand for these new prescription pads.

Earlier today the Senate passed the Brown-Voinovich Bill and I just received word that Wilson measure made it through the House.

Below are Wilson's remarks from the House floor on his bill.

"Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. It contains language I introduced to help us avoid a case of unintended consequences.

"This spring, a provision was slipped into the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations bill. It requires that all Medicaid prescriptions be written on “tamper resistant” paper in order to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement starting October First.

"The tamper proof pad mandate was designed to fight fraud and that’s good. BUT the October first date isn’t enough time for states to inform providers and patients about the new requirement.

"This could mean patients are turned away from pharmacies as of next week if their prescription isn’t on the right paper.

"And that paper isn’t widely available.

"Pharmacies that fill prescriptions not written on the special paper may be forced out of business if they’re not getting reimbursed by Medicaid.

"All we need is a 6 month delay. The clock is ticking on this! And I’m asking for your help."

SCHIP Wrap Up

I hesitate to use the term "wrap up" because I doubt this issue is anywhere near finished. This is just a collection of statements I've read.

"Children in rural areas, like much of Ohio's Sixth District, depend on Medicaid or CHIP for health insurance more than children in urban areas. That's just one of the reasons I'm so pleased we were able to pass this important legislation.

"Everyone deserves quality healthcare in this country. I'm so proud this legislation takes on the task of guaranteeing that insurance is attainable and looks after our nation’s children.”

-- Rep. Charlie Wilson

Here's Dennis Kucinich's statement on why he was the only Ohio Democrat to vote against the bill.

“I cannot support legislation which extends health coverage to some children while openly denying it to other children. This legislation is woefully inadequate: and I will not support it.

“Legal immigrant children deserve the same quality health care as other children receive. It is Congress’ responsibility to address the main difficulties that prevent legal immigrant children from gaining access to health care. Today, we did exactly the opposite.

“HR 676 guarantees full health care coverage for all children. When considering a universal health care proposal, HR 676, the Medicare for All bill, is the only health care plan that addresses three important issues: quality, accessibility, and cost. HR 676 stands alone in an increasingly crowded field of efforts to provide health care coverage to all."

-- Rep. Dennis Kucinich

And the statement from his primary challenger Rosemary Palmer

I was appalled by Congressman Kucinich’s vote against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program on the House floor tonight. This bill would have expanded an already successful program to provide health insurance to millions of children across the country. It takes some twisted logic for someone who claims to support health care coverage for all to oppose this necessary and overdue move in the right direction.

On one hand, President Bush vows to veto the bill, and on the other, Dennis Kucinich votes against it because he doesn’t think it is perfect. This is a perfect example of what is presently wrong with Washington decision-making. Polarizing positions work against functional compromise resulting in a government that cannot serve in the nation’s best interest. While fringe politicians like President Bush and Congressman Kucinich rant like petulant children, the nation remains stagnant and desperately needing effective leadership. Unfortunately, children in Northeast Ohio and around the country will pay the price for their obstinate actions.

-- Rosemary Palmer

It had been my policy to try not to endorse anyone in that race but after Kucinich's little "all or nothing" stunt I think it's about time someone slapped him back to reality. Kucinich apparently wants people to suffer as much as possible until he can ride in on a white horse and be the people's savior. Sorry buddy, now you've pissed too many people off.

Zack Space also put out a release late last night praising the bills passage.

“We have a moral imperative to ensure these children get the health insurance they need to keep them healthy. Our historic vote tonight will give up to 10 million children health coverage with this legislation.”

“The clock is ticking, Mr. President.  If you veto this bill, you will drive 145,000 Ohioans off health insurance.”

-- Rep. Zack Space

I also finally got around to posting the audio of Space's opening statement from yesterday's conference call.

Last but not least Governor Ted Strickland chimed in and urged Representatives to support the compromise yesterday.

“There are few things more important than ensuring Ohio’s children have access to quality, affordable health care. The state budget, passed with the nearly unanimous support of Republican and Democratic legislators, includes a plan to extend health care access to Ohio’s uninsured children.

“We have it within our ability to accomplish this worthy, bipartisan goal. I'm urging Ohio's Congressional Delegation to support the SCHIP compromise today.”

-- Governor Ted Strickland

Zack Space Gearing Up For A Fight Over S-CHIP Veto Threats

Earlier today Rep. Zack Space held a conference call with reporters to once again voice his support for extending the S-CHIP Act. During the call Space discussed the new bipartisan compromise on S-Chip that will be voted on later today and the threat by President Bush to veto the bill.

The S-CHIP Act provides health insurance to children in families that don't meet the requirements for Medicare but aren't able to buy insurance and is funded by a $.61/pack cigarette tax. A study by Brigham Young and Arizona State universities found that dropping S-CHIP would cost states $2,121 more per child each year due to an increase in emergency room visits.

While writing this post I received an email from the ODP urging Ohioans to call their Representatives and urge them to support this program. They also have an online petition.

Update: Here's the audio I promised. The compromise bill mentioned in the post passed by a vote of 256-159.

Wilson Seeks To Delay New Prescription Requirements

In the recently passed War Supplemental bill there was a provision requiring that to be eligible for medicare reimbursement prescriptions must be written on tamper resistant pads. Now this is a good thing, it'll help stop fraud. The problem is that it takes effect Monday (10/1) and there has been some problems trying to get everyone switched over to these tamper resistant pads.

Because of these problems Rep. Charlie Wilson introduced a bill in the House (with bipartisan support) yesterday that would delay this requirement for six months in an attempt to help ease this transition. In the Senate Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and George Voinovich (R-OH) presented a similar bill.

In a press release Wilson said a six month delay was "just good common sense" and continued on to say that he wants "to do the right thing and allow doctors, pharmacists and patients the time needed to study the new law and properly prepare for it".