The high cost of medicine could get a lot lower for Franklin County patients with little or no prescription benefits with a new discount card offered through the county commissioners and United Way of Central Ohio.
During the May 5 Canal Winchester Village Council meeting, Canal Winchester Finance Director Nanisa Osborn said the village is a designated pick-up location for the Franklin County Prescription Card Program, which offers, on average, a 22 percent discount on most major prescription drugs.
The cards are free and available at the Canal Winchester Municipal Building, 36 S. High St.
According to the county, there are no forms, no fees, and no requirements other than being a resident of Franklin County. The program offers the discount regardless of age, income, or health care coverage and there are no costs to the county or taxpayers.
"Several counties throughout the nation have started similar programs," said Osborn. "You can use the card anywhere that honors Caremark. It is really for those who have no, or very limited, prescription plans."
According to a brochure provided by the county, the prescription discount card is accepted at 59,000 pharmacies in 950 counties nationwide. For information or a complete list of Franklin County pharmacies accepting the card, call 462-4534 or log on to www.FranklinCountyOhio.gov/Rx.
Burial plan
An offer by the city of Lancaster to help set up a plan for indigent burial prompted a discussion by Osborn and council on the village’s own contingencies for burial of indigent residents. In 2001, the Ohio Revised Code mandated that burial or cremation of the body of an indigent person is at the expense of townships or municipalities and not covered by the state.
"We appropriate $1,000 a year for indigent burial if there is a requirement," reported Osborn, adding, as far as she can tell, the fund was only tapped once in the last nine years. "We require documentation that they are truly indigent. The only concern I have is we don’t have a Potter’s burial plot."
Councilwoman Marilyn Rush-Ekelberry said council could meet with representatives of Union Grove Cemetery who told her they could make provisions for burying indigent people, if the need arose.
Business news
John Garrett, executive director of Main Street Canal Winchester announced award recipients at the organization’s sixth annual Main Street Gala held on April 25. Businesses receiving hand painted slate awards were: restoration – Miss Miriam’s Wigwam; window display – Dianna’s Flowers; and marketing – Ferne’s Attic.
Brandt Family Farm, celebrating its 10th year as a Farmers’ Market vendor, was recognized, along with Sandy Waitkus, who was honored for her work as a Farmers’ Market volunteer.
New downtown businesses in 2007 include: The Shop on High, Ferne’s Attic, attorney Anona Wheeler, Dianna’s Flowers (under new ownership), Team Gear, Nationwide Insurance, Wigwam Restaurant (new ownership), and uChuze (a leasee in the iBeam complex).
The awards were created by Natalie of County Art by Nat from Carroll and are old slates taken from local homes, barns and buildings. A picture of Prentiss School was featured on the large slates.
