Rep. Tiffany AWOL in Effort to Extend Waiver for SeniorCare Prescription Drug Program

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s SeniorCare program has helped state seniors save an estimated $100 million on the cost of their prescription drugs. Yet Rep. Tom Tiffany was conspicuously absent as a number of his Assembly Republican colleagues signed a letter urging federal officials to extend the waiver that allows the program to continue to operate.

One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross commented, “It seems like it would be a no-brainer, joining colleagues in supporting the best prescription drug program in the nation. But Rep. Tom Tiffany is nowhere to be found.”

Wisconsin’s SeniorCare provides better benefits at a lower cost than the federal Medicare Part D program to thousands of state seniors. And, unlike the federal prescription drug program enacted under George W. Bush by Congressional Republicans, SeniorCare allows the state to use its bargaining power to negotiate rebates and better prices from big drug companies, therefore saving participants and taxpayers money.

Ross concluded, “It appears that paying state income taxes isn’t the only thing Rep. Tiffany is avoiding. He’s apparently also decided to take a pass on publicly standing up for Wisconsin seniors and their access to affordable prescription drugs.”