He outlined a three-pronged attack to make health care more affordable and easier for the state & private industry to provide. The new items in his plan were:
Get a waiver from the federal government to allow everyone without insurance to join Medicaid just to buy prescription drugs at the lower cost;
Require drug companies to disclose gifts they provide to doctors;
Deny drug companies a deduction on their state taxes for advertising costs.
Kulongoski reiterated his commitment to a bulk-buying alliance with neighboring states,
called for the creation of a public-private partnership to help employers lower their prescription drug costs - and begin a consumer education campaign to inform Oregonians about the effectiveness of various medications.
Source: Press release, "New plan to reduce health care costs"
Sep 30, 2002
