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Article: COURT CLEARS WAY FOR MAINE RX PLAN BUT PROGRAM STILL OPEN TO CHALLENGE
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- May 20, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court yesterday lifted a court order
blocking Maine's novel but long-delayed effort to lower drug prices,
clearing the way for the state to implement the program by year's
end.
In a splintered 6-3 ruling, the court said the drug industry had
not made a case for delaying the program, known as Maine Rx. At the
same time, the court opened the way for new challenges to the
legality of Maine Rx, which is designed to reduce the cost of
medicine for the poor and uninsured.
Still, Maine officials said they would proceed. Governor John
Baldacci called the decision "a very encouraging development" and
said officials would put the program into effect after an internal
review of ...