CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

Cost Versus Coverage: The Real Story on Prescription Drugs
Innovative Legislation to Lower Prices in 27 States Leads to Long-Term Fix

Although there’s been increased attention given to state action on prescription drugs, the real story concerns the 27 states in 2001 that for the first time are attempting to grapple with the heart of the prescription drug epidemic ﾖ drug prices.

On average, 71 million uninsured Americans pay twice as much for their prescription drugs than the federal government pays for the same drugs under the Federal Supply Schedule. States have expanded programs to help low-income senior citizens buy prescription drugs, but without dealing with the issue of prices, they are simply subsidizing the drug companies.

Prescription drug fair pricing legislation deals with the source of the problem by directing the state government to use its bulk purchasing power to negotiate steep discounts and pass the savings on to those who have no prescription drug coverage, including retirees on Medicare.

Refer to CPA’s issue brief, “Prescription Drug Fair Pricing” for more information and for the latest state-of-the-states update.

Equal Pay Legislation Still Active in 2001 State Sessions
Bills Move Toward Passage in 20 States

Legislation promoting equal pay for women and people of color has moved toward enactment in 20 state legislatures scattered across the country from Georgia to Alaska. In 2001, 81 equal pay bills have been introduced in 34 different states. This sudden, broad progress is a huge step in the decades-long battle to achieve the goal of equal pay for equal work. Find out more about state action on equal pay.