Posted At Philadelphia Inquirer

BY : Angela Delli Santi

Assurances were hard to find yesterday as New Jersey legislators pondered how they might help senior citizens and the disabled navigate the new federal prescription drug program.

Members of the Senate's health committee instead were told of systematic deficiencies in the program, which requires participants to choose among 44 private plans that get a government subsidy to provide prescription drug coverage in New Jersey. About 1.3 million state residents have until May 15 to choose a plan.

New Jersey and 31 others states are providing emergency payments for drugs that the program, which took effect Jan. 1, should cover but hasn't because of glitches.

Sen. Joseph Vitale (D., Middlesex), who chaired yesterday's hearing, said he felt bad for seniors trying to figure out the system.

"We wanted to learn today what the state is doing to work with the federal government," he said, "and to more fully understand what the challenges are that need to be met here."

New Jersey has spent more than $30 million on emergency coverage. Gov. Corzine received assurances after meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt last month that the federal government would reimburse New Jersey for costs incurred for medicine that went to residents wrongly denied coverage under the new Medicare drug plan.

While people find the vast number of plans confusing, federal officials say the competition forces insurers to lower costs and provide more generous benefits for people 65 and older and the disabled.

Vitale said his office had interceded on behalf of constituents cut off from medications because of computer malfunctions in the system. One woman with serious lung disease needed her prescriptions to stay alive, he said.

Sen. Ronald Rice (D., Essex), another committee member, said seniors trying to figure out the best plan for them had flooded his office with calls.

"In my city, my seniors are so confused," Rice said. "None of us understand this complex mess."

While state Department of Health and Senior Services officials were commended for stepping up in the face of the federal confusion, Rice said he wanted consultants sent to his district to help residents navigate the system. He said he would consider sponsoring legislation to cover transportation costs of getting seniors to and from information sessions.