Homepage
-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information North Adams
native makes a difference
The doctor’s in
The dangers of
refinancing
Money
Management assistance available to South County elders
North Adams native makes a difference
By Chet Gallup
Francis Gaspardi of North Adams is a retired pipefitter out to make a difference by increasing the funding available to the state’s prescription plan for seniors and consequently increasing its benefits.
Prescription Advantage, the state’s offering to help with prescription drug costs, presently carries an enrollment of 65,000 Massachusetts elders according to Paul Bolger, Assistant Director of Community Relations and Legislative Affairs at the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
Gaspardi’s plan calls for the state legislature to pass "An act Providing for A Pharmacy Assistance License Plate." Money realized through the sales of special automobile registration plates will then reduce the costs of the pharmacy program borne by the consumer.
Sponsored by state Rep. Dan Bosley (D-North Adams), and state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo (D-Pittsfield), House Bill 4493, reflecting Gaspardi’s plan, was the subject of a hearing held in September by the Joint Committee on Public Safety. Testifying in front of the committee, Gaspardi said, "The basic idea for the Pharmacy Assistance license plate is similar to that of other special license plates currently issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
"For instance, a Save the Whales special plate costs a Massachusetts driver a total fee of $70, of which $30 is revenue for the registry and $40 is contributed to the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. According to the Registry, since 1994, approximately 40,000 Save the Whales special plates have been issued. As a result, $1.6 million was paid by concerned Massachusett citizens for this worthy cause. Having similar assistance (special plates) for the Prescription Advantage Program would contribute to a reduction in costs for participants of the program. This reduction could mean lower premiums, lower deductibles, and lower co-payments."
The idea for the special plate came to Gaspardi while watching efforts this past summer to disentangle a whale from a net rope. Remembering the special plate for whales, Gaspardi thought, "why not a special plate to save seniors who are floundering under excessive prescription costs."
A cost of $65 dollars is proposed for the two-year Pharmacy Assistance License Plate with $35 going to the pharmacy program and $30 going to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Gaspardi has his work cut out for him. If House Bill 4493 isn’t passed by the first of the year, it must be resubmitted. At the behest of Governor Jane Swift, Registrar Daniel A. Grabauskas answered a letter from Barbara Villanueva, Executive Director of Adams COA.
"Mr. Gaspardi’s idea to help contain the costs of prescription drugs certainly is noble, but creating a funding stream from the creation of a new plate design can be a large hill to climb, and here is why:
The driving force behind any new specialty plate is the Massachusetts House and Senate Committees on Public Safety; it is they who make the determination on which new plate proposals are adopted. The Legislature has strict guidelines in place to help them decide whether or not to support the issuance of a new plate series. With this in mind, my best advice would be to enlist the support of your local legislator, who should be able to provide you with further information and direction."
Registrar Grabauskas ended by saying "I appreciate the commitment you and Mr. Gaspardi have in addressing issues paramount to senior citizens, and in particular, the spiraling costs of prescription drugs."
Gaspardi not only has the support of the mentioned Berkshire County legislators, but also that of area Councils on Aging (COA). His enthusiasm continues to grow.
"What I need now is for all Massachusetts citizens to contact their legislators and ask them to support House Bill 4493," Gaspardi said. "Petitions are available at local councils and I’m taking steps to make this bill a statewide concern. So, everybody contact their legislators and continue to solicit support throughout the state. Petitions are available at COAs. Please pick them up, get them signed, and return them as quickly as possible."
Seniors, families, and friends are encouraged to contact Mr. Gaspardi with their thoughts on his efforts. His address and phone number are:
Mr. Frances Gaspardi
1589 South Church Street
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 664-6162