Free Republic

SACRAMENTO - Giving an election-year boost to millions of lower-income Californians, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative Democrats reached a deal Thursday that will require prescription drug companies to offer set discounts for medications or face possible sanctions. The California Prescription Drug Initiative will give discounts of about 40 percent for name-brand drugs and 60 percent for generics to people who otherwise would have to pay full retail price. The enrollment fee will be $10 a year. The plan, announced earlier this week but formally approved Thursday, will affect more than 5 million uninsured, lower-income individuals, Schwarzenegger said in a statement....

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration on Saturday defended his proposal requiring drug companies to give discounts to up to five million uninsured, low-income residents within five years or face state sanctions. California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belshe said the Republican governor's election-year plan was better than Democratic bills he has vetoed the last two years. Schwarzenegger has unsuccessfully pushed a voluntary plan since taking office, and the one he formally announced Saturday gives drug companies five years to comply on their own terms - with a stick at the end if they don't, Belshe said at a Capitol news...