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								HOME ADDRESS
								Staff Member
								November 21 , 2005

 

 

Senator or Delegate XXXX
Lowe House Office Building or (Chose One)
Miller Senate Office Building
Annapolis, Md 21401-1991

 

Dear Senator or Delegate XXX

I am writing to you as a State - University System of Maryland employee about an issue of deep concern to me and many of my fellow state employees: the significant cost increase and the drastic changes in coverage of the State prescription drug plan.

When the FY'06 state health plan went into effect on July 1, 2005, most employees expected there would be an increase in cost of the premiums, however no one anticipated such large increases in plan usage cost PLUS the substantial alterations in the plan coverage. For example, the increase in the cost of the co-pays for prescriptions rose from $3 to $5 for generic drugs, $5 to $15 for preferred brand name drugs and $10 to $25 for non-preferred brand name drugs (a 66% to 200% increase per prescription) while prescription renewals decreased from 90 days to 45 days. These changes, combined, created new and significant out-of-pocket expenses for the average employee. Additionally, the list of prescription drugs covered by the plan has now changed. The new $700 cap helps, but it only applies to co-pays and not to other out-of-pocket prescription costs.

 

In my own experience... (List here what the details are of your prescription expenses. Use comparisons when appropriate such as "Last year my medicine cost $xxxx, while this year the cost was $xxxx for the same amount." DO NOT REPORT SPECIFICS of an ILLNESS- Report how the increased cost or coverage change affected you personally)

As you and your elected colleagues consider legislation and budgets in the upcoming session of the General Assembly, I strongly urge you to consider steps to modify this drastic increase in the cost of the State prescription plan for the state employee. We cannot serve the State effectively and efficiently in our jobs, if we are ill, due to our financial inability to purchase prescriptions drugs.

Sincerely:

 

 

Name and phone number

Cc: USM Council of University System Staff (CUSS) - (campus) > List your campus

Ms. Andrea Fulton, Executive Director, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits 301 W. Preston St. Rm.609, Baltimore Md, 21202