Gov. Jim Doyle put forward a formal request Monday to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and ultimately President Barack Obama, for an extension of the state’s prescription drug assistance program, SeniorCare, through 2012.

SeniorCare was first implemented as a five-year demonstration project in 2002 and is scheduled to expire Dec. 31. If Obama does not choose to continue SeniorCare beyond this date, the program will be terminated, according to Stephanie Smiley, Wisconsin Department of Health Services spokesperson.

Smiley said SeniorCare was launched as an affordable alternative to Medicare Part D to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for thousands of the state’s low-income senior citizens.

“We would like SeniorCare to remain a viable alternative for nearly 90,000 of Wisconsin’s seniors,” Smiley said. “There are a lot of differences between these programs, and for many seniors [SeniorCare] is a better option.”

Smiley explained SeniorCare differs from Medicare Part D because it entails a simplified enrollment process, $30 annual fee, income-based deductible and co-payments of $5 for generic drugs or $15 for brand drugs. Smiley also said SeniorCare is less complex and more flexible than Medicare Part D.

“Medicare Part D can be really confusing to people because it has several different drug plans that people can choose from,” Smiley said. “An individual may not know which one of the Medicare Part D programs would actually be the best one for them.”

Smiley added though some Medicare Plan D options are beneficial for certain seniors, for many SeniorCare has been an easier alternative.

She also said seniors may cancel their enrollment in SeniorCare at anytime without penalties, while enrolling and canceling their Medicare Part D coverage during certain times may result in penalties.

Additionally, Smiley added because SeniorCare is a state program, Wisconsin is able to negotiate the lowest prices for prescription drugs, saving money for both participants and taxpayers. The federal government is not allowed to participate in such practices.

Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, said he completely supports Doyle in his decision to apply for the extension since SeniorCare is an important prescription drug program benefiting thousands of seniors.

Nelson added because SeniorCare has proven to save taxpayer dollars while delivering affordable medicines to seniors, securing its extension of is one of his top priorities in this legislative session.

Assembly Minority Caucus Chair Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, agreed SeniorCare should be extended because of the many benefits it offers seniors as well as other residents of the state. Suder said both Republicans and Democrats worked together to develop SeniorCare so seniors could have affordable medications.

Suder added he expects the state to have federal support due to the program’s success.