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WHEREAS, The Health Department will continue to implement the Smart Start Dental Program with the <br />goals of preventing tooth decay in children at a young age; thereby, preventing pain, infection <br />and costly dental treatment; and helping parents overcome the barriers to receiving dental <br />care. <br />NOW, THEREFORE We, the members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby <br />acknowledge the Orange County Smart Start Dental Program for their efforts and offer <br />congratulations on the receipt of the 1996 NCACC Outstanding County Program Award for <br />Human Services. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />D. Endorsement of a State-Wide Pharmaceutical Assistance Program for Low Income <br />Senior Adults <br />Jerry Passmore, Director of the Department on Aging, presented for the Board's consideration <br />a resolution endorsing the need for a statewide pharmaceutical assistance program for senior adults, age <br />60+, who fall within a defined income/expense range and who do not qualify for Medicaid. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to <br />approve the resolution as stated below: <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />A RESOLUTION ENDORSING <br />A STATEWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM <br />FOR LOW INCOME ELDERLY <br />WHEREAS, low income older adults comprise approximately one-fourth of the North Carolina elderly <br />population; and <br />WHEREAS, there are nearly 300,000 North Carolinians, many elderly, designated as "poor", and <br />receiving no assistance with the purchase of prescription medications; and <br />WHEREAS, nationally, North Carolina has the ninth highest poverty rate for people age 65 and older, and <br />WHEREAS, Medicare, available to all citizens over 65, provides no assistance for purchase of retail <br />medications; and <br />WHEREAS, older adults represent 12% of U.S. population, but consume 34% of all prescription drugs, <br />and by the year 2000 older adults are estimated to consume close to 50% of all prescribed <br />drugs; and <br />WHEREAS, a high percentage of elderly hospital admissions are due to medication misuse; and <br />WHEREAS, in recent years, prescription drug prices have risen at a rate three to five times that of <br />inflation making it difficult for low-income elderly to follow the doctor's orders; and <br />WHEREAS, low income older adults who do not qualify for Medicaid can not get assistance with the <br />purchase of prescription drugs in North Carolina like ten other states; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby <br />endorse the need for a statewide pharmaceutical assistance program for senior adults, age <br />60+, who fall within a defined income/expense range and who do not qualify for Medicaid; <br />and <br />FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners advise the Governor and <br />state legislators of the need to establish a statewide pharmaceutical assistance program. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS <br />A. Presentation--Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting <br />The Board acknowledged receipt of the Government Finance Officers' Association Certificate <br />of Achievement and recognized the individuals responsible for this achievement. These individuals include <br />Finance Director Ken Chavious and his staff. <br />VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS (8:40-8:45) <br />A. Community Development Block Grant Program