Buckley says Medicare drug plan doesn't reduce need to help Nevadans

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said Monday the Medicare drug plan approved by Congress doesn't lessen the need to help seniors and others with prescription drug costs.

She noted the federal program doesn't become effective until 2006.

"Nevada's seniors and families need help now," she said. "The skyrocketing cost of medicine affects not only our senior citizens, but also young workers and families."

She said the issue affects middle-income Nevadans as well as those on fixed incomes.

Buckley, who authored the legislation establishing the help desk, said it is designed to provide information to Nevadans about free or reduced cost prescription drugs available from the pharmaceutical industry.

"This assistance has been available from pharmaceutical companies for some time, but people are not aware of these services," she said.

The help desk is a clearinghouse for information and applications. It is aimed primarily at those who don't have health benefits that provide prescription drugs, but Buckley said it is also for people who discover their particular medicine isn't covered by their health plan.

Nevada's Prescription Help Desk in the Office of Consumer Health Assistance opened Monday. The toll-free number is 888-333-1597.