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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> AMENDED RESOLUTION ENDORSING <br /> A STATEWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM <br /> FOR LOW INCOME ELDERLY AND PERSONS FVIM DISABILITIES <br /> WHEREAS, low income older adults comprise approximately one-fourth of the North Carolina elderly <br /> population;and <br /> WHEREAS, there is nearly 300,000 North Carolinians, many elderly, as well as persons with <br /> disabilities. designated as"poor"and receive no assistance with the purchase of prescription medications; <br /> WHEREAS, nationally,North Carolina has the ninth highest poverty rate for people age 65 and older; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, Medicare, available to all citizens over 65 and persons with disabilities. provides no <br /> assistance for the purchase of retail medications; and <br /> WHEREAS, older adults represent 12% of the U.S. population, but consume 34% of all prescription <br /> drugs; 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 and persons with disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid can <br /> not get assistance with the 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 <br /> hereby endorse the need for a statewide pharmaceutical assistance program for senior adults age 60+, and <br /> persons witdsabilities, who fall within a defined income/expense range and who do not qualify for <br /> Medicaid; and <br /> FURTHER,BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners advise the Governor <br /> and state legislators of the need to establish a Statewide Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. <br /> This the 18th day of February. 1997. <br /> L . <br /> William L. Crowther, Chair <br /> Board of Commissioners <br />