Call it Governor Jim Doyle's "dire consequences" tour. At a stop in Appleton on Monday, the governor made dire predictions for seniors, if the budget impasse continues. At the Thompson Community Center, Doyle said the state's popular prescription drug program will be hit. "Without a budget, SeniorCare will be short more than $9 million," said Doyle. "When this occurs, under the current law, the Department of Health and Family Services will stop paying pharmacies for drugs purchased under SeniorCare."
Doyle said that means pharmacies will have to pass those costs on to seniors, and a generic prescription that now costs five bucks will average more than 60 dollars. He says BadgerCare will also be affected, and with an 11-million dollar shortfall, eligibility levels may have to be changed. Legislative leaders are beginning their second week of closed door talks with a state budget now three months overdue.
