Been sitting on this email for four days and I'm tired of it stinking up my inbox. Typical pass-the-buck, because-I'm-in-charge, bullshyt boilerplate reply. To add further insult, it was forwarded through channels, only to be eventually sent from a certain Christine Freeman, allegedly on the behalf of Jerry Wells, Bureau Chief Medicaid Pharmacy Services. Unless it's changed since April 8th, Mr. Wells' office phone number is (850)487-1447 Do what you will with this info...

The email:

July 6, 2005

Dear Sir/Ma'am:

Thank you for your recent letter to Governor Bush regarding changes to the Florida Medicaid prescription drug program. The Governor has asked me to respond to your concerns. When the Florida Legislature met this past session, their goal was to find a way to continue offering Florida's most vulnerable citizens high quality prescription medications, both name brand and generic, that are effective in treating illnesses while also seeking to control costs. This is important because the cost of prescription medications have been growing over the past several years at a rate the State cannot afford.

Our Agency has been working diligently with drug manufacturers nationwide to ensure that Medicaid patients have access to a comprehensive, broad range of prescription medications that have been proven effective.

The Florida Medicaid Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee recommends which medications will be on the approved list. This committee comprises a diverse group of specialty physicians, pharmacists and a consumer member who are uniquely qualified to make these recommendations on behalf of the Agency and will do so with the very best interest of you, our beneficiaries in mind.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts on this issue; please let me know if I may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Jerry Wells, Bureau Chief
Medicaid Pharmacy Services