REQUESTING THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING TO IDENTIFY AND PUBLICIZE ALL AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM OPTIONS AND EDUCATE NEW MEXICO'S SENIOR CITIZENS ABOUT THESE OPTIONS.

WHEREAS, there exists a crisis in lack of access and affordability of prescription drugs for tens of thousands of New Mexico's senior citizens; and

WHEREAS, congress has allowed medicare reimbursement to deteriorate to the degree that most insurance and health maintenance organization managed care providers withdrew from the field the first of this year, abruptly leaving nearly seventeen thousand New Mexico seniors without prescription drug coverage; and

WHEREAS, a senior citizen's monthly bill for prescription drugs averages four hundred fifty dollars ($450) per month; and

WHEREAS, without health maintenance organization or other prescription drug coverage, many seniors are unable to afford prescription drugs, thereby endangering their health and lives; and

WHEREAS, the state agency on aging has led the creation of a statewide network of senior citizen centers and programs, which ably provides regular services and communication with seniors throughout New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, this exemplary agency advocates for a broad range of methods and programs to assist our honored parents and grandparents to enjoy their last decades in self-respect and good health;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state agency on aging be requested to identify every means possible for the state's senior citizens, particularly those of low income, to gain access to and be able to afford vitally needed prescription drugs and to publicize that information far and wide to New Mexico's oldest generation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the state agency on aging.