Some good news for O'Bannon

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Frank O'Bannon was almost beaming the other day, and why not? He had some good news in state government to talk about for a change.\n"There is always room for good news," O'Bannon said.\nThere hasn't been a lot on the state government front of late, however.\nFor the first two months of the fiscal year, the state has taken in nearly $100 million less in tax revenue than projected, dealing more blows to the state's tattered finances.\nLast month, officials were embarrassed to learn that a top administrator of the $11 billion state retirement fund had served prison time for identity theft. Federal prosecutors say he passed a background check by stealing the same man's ID a second time.\nA bitter dispute between the executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and the state's second pari-mutuel track, Indianapolis Downs, got uglier.\nStill, O'Bannon made room for some good news last week when he visited pharmacies in Indianapolis and Terre Haute to promote changes in the state's prescription drug program for low-income seniors.\nHoosierRx was started two years ago, the result of legislation championed by O'Bannon and passed by the General Assembly. But until last month, eligible seniors had to pay full price for their prescription drugs, mail in their receipts quarterly and wait up to 45 days for reimbursements from the state.\nNow they can use a debit-like card and receive an instant 50 percent discount at more than 900 participating pharmacies in Indiana.\n"I'm happy to say that using this little card is going to make a big difference," O'Bannon said.\nThe program, funded through proceeds from the national tobacco settlement, does have limits.\nTo be eligible, state residents must be 65 or older with a monthly income of $997 or less for a single person, or $1,344 or less for a married couple. They cannot have prescription drug coverage through an insurance plan or through Medicaid.\nThe top maximum benefit is $1,000 per year, although seniors are still eligible after that for discounts at participating pharmacies.\nBut the program has made a difference for some. Betty Shreve, 76, of Indianapolis, is one of the 16,268 seniors so far who have saved money.\n"I've talked to a lot of people and they've never heard of it, and that's sad because it is a big help," said Shreve, who helped O'Bannon promote the program in Indianapolis.\nThe state hopes the new conveniences will encourage more low-income seniors to apply.\n"The fact that you don't have to save those darn receipts is a big help, because that was a pain in the ..."\nShreve paused and seemed to be thinking of a harsher word to end her sentence, but on O'Bannon's cue, she said, "neck."\nShe then took hold of O'Bannon's arm and said, "Thank you for not canceling this program." The governor smiled back at her like he hasn't smiled in weeks.\n"I'm an optimist to begin with, so I always like talking about good news," O'Bannon said afterward.\nHe hasn't had a lot of it to talk about of late, so who can blame him for playing up a positive?