Assemblymember Anthony Brindisi delivers EPIC funding for Mohawk Valley seniors

March 30, 2012

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) fought to restore $30.6 million for co-payment assistance for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program (EPIC). Currently, enrolled seniors could be paying as high as 25 percent of their prescription drug costs – up to $200 per prescription – but with this restoration they will be able to pay between $3 and $20 for each prescription.

“Albany should be working to make life less taxing,” Brindisi said. “Especially for seniors, many of whom are living on a fixed income. This was the right decision to make.”

EPIC helps seniors with low- to moderate-income pay for prescription costs not covered by Medicaid. Seniors with yearly prescription costs of over $6,600 are currently required to pay 5 percent of their drug costs, which can add up quickly. Their co-pays will now be capped at $20.

“We had to make many tough decisions in this year’s budget,” said Assemblymember Brindisi. “But I felt it was critical to restore EPIC co-payment assistance to help some of our most vulnerable citizens who have done so much for our community.”

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