A New Era for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs That Serve Older Adults

AARP recently released an analysis examining existing state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) and their characteristics, highlighting how specific federal prescription drug reforms could generate savings for SPAPs. SPAPs are state-run programs that help pay prescription drug-related costs for certain populations with limited financial resources, including older adults. Today, 13 states operate a SPAP to help older adults afford their prescription drugs, down from 23 SPAPs in 2004. Prescription drug reforms enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that will be implemented over the next several years will affect SPAPs and could lead to savings for the programs. While none of the law’s provisions directly address SPAPs...