It is not as easy as it once was for a senior to go to the drug store and pick up medicine prescribed by the doctor. Soaring prices for prescription drugs have become a real burden for senior citizens who today, if they can afford it, spend a large share of their income and savings for medications. Many are forced to make a decision that no senior should ever have to make - a choice between a critically needed prescription drug and an essential like food or shelter.

For 12 years, the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program (EPIC) has helped more than 275,000 older New Yorkers purchase almost 31 million prescriptions and save over $683 million at their local drug stores.

Even with the success of the EPIC program, seniors are still paying too much out-of-pocket expense for their prescription drugs. Recent studies have shown that the 50 most commonly prescribed drugs used by seniors have risen by more than four times the rate of inflation. We can't expect seniors on fixed incomes to keep up with this pace.

This year, under the 2000-01 state budget, legislators reached an agreement calling for an expansion of EPIC to cover 80,000 additional seniors, as well as cut the current cost for seniors already enrolled in the program.

Under the EPIC Plus agreement, annual income limits for eligibility will be raised. Single seniors and married couples with incomes up to $35,000 and $50,000, respectively, will now be eligible for EPIC coverage under a new deductible program.

EPIC Plus will also allow seniors, who spend an average of 3 percent of their income on prescription drugs, to receive EPIC benefits, paying between $3 and $20 for medications. The copayment is determined by the cost of the medications.

Seniors have paid their dues. Over the years, they have given so much back to their community and society, and now it is time they have the opportunity to look forward to a healthy retirement. Scaring them with unacceptable prescription costs is not, however, the answer. The expansion of EPIC is.

Through the new EPIC Plus program, effective Jan. 1, 2001, seniors will benefit from substantial prescription drug savings. If you have further questions, please contact the toll-free EPIC helpline at 1-800-332-3742.