Governor Scott Walker is asking the federal government for an extension, to continue Wisconsin’s popular low-cost prescription drug program for the elderly. Walker’s office has formally requested a three-year waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to keep Senior-Care going through 2015. The current waiver expires at the end of the year.
About 87,000 low-income senior citizens over 65 get their medicines from SeniorCare. The 10-year-old program requires an annual $30 enrollment fee, with a $5 co-pay for generics and $15 for name brand drugs. State officials say SeniorCare reduced drug costs for Wisconsin seniors by approximately $114 million in 2011.
The governor asked for the waiver on Friday, which was the deadline to request the extension.
