Guinn's office, Democrats trade barbs over drug plan

CARSON CITY -- Nevada senior citizens, not the insurance companies, should decide what's in a state prescription drug subsidy program, insist two Assembly Democrats, who say they are "disappointed" that Gov. Kenny Guinn has turned the issue into a partisan fight.

Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas, the assistant majority leader, and Assemblywoman Vivian Freeman of Reno, who head a task force on health, called on Guinn Wednesday to hold a public hearing within the next month. They said the hearing would reveal what seniors believe should be included in the senior medicine program.

Guinn did not comment on the hearing suggestion. His press secretary, Jack Finn, said the administration welcomes "continued public input" but then criticized the task force, saying it had "opportunities to be helpful and has chosen instead to create obstacles."

"We've been gathering public input for three years," Finn said. "They're a little behind the game. We have a good grasp of what seniors want.

"We're disappointed that a few individuals have chosen to enter this debate in the midst of an election year instead of joining with the governor on this endeavor when he began it."

The Buckley-Freeman task force on June 29 refused to release $6 million to finance the Guinn administration's plan until details are available on the coverage and the price of the policy.

Guinn, through Finn, accused them of playing partisan politics on what has become one of the biggest issues in this year's national election campaign.

Buckley and Freeman said a joint hearing would "provide a clear opportunity to put partisan difference aside and to work together for the best interests of Nevada's senior citizens."

The 1999 Legislature, at the request of the governor, approved a plan to use 15 percent of the annual tobacco settlement money to help buy prescription drugs for those 62 and older and with incomes of less than $21,500.

Bids were sent to about 800 drug companies to draft a policy but only one replied. And that company was ineligible. The administration has revised the plan and again is soliciting bids to be submitted by Aug. 29

Buckley said waiting until the end of August is "too long."

"What if no one bids?" Buckley asked. "We're back to square one."

The public hearing would permit the consideration of plans by 14 other states, and it would allow Nevada to draft its own priorities, she said.

Buckley said seniors consider heart and diabetes medicine the most critical. And the public hearings may show how much the elderly would be willing to pay.

Freeman and Buckley said the task force will free up the money "as soon as we are confident that a plan is in place to provide real relief to the thousands of senior citizens who are looking to us for help."

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