When you get the card, it's a shock. People at age 50 don't feel ready to begin a new stage of life.

Drug prices are much more than a casual concern for New Yorkers. As prices continue to increase, they've become an obstacle to being able to live a healthy life. This survey shows not only that high drug costs are a problem, but that people expect their legislators to do something about it.

High drug prices have created a barrier between people and the drugs they need to stay healthy. We need state laws to help knock those barriers down -- unfortunately the drug industry continues to stop those efforts at every turn.

We think it has been a little bit of a slow and rough start, but people are beginning to read and see the benefits.

High drug costs are already forcing people to cut their pills, take less and sometimes not even be able to fill their prescriptions at all. Eliminating 'wrap around' coverage is a harsh move that will deny drugs to our state's most vulnerable populations - we urge the Legislature to reject the Governor's proposal.

HEAP is a great program, providing much needed assistance to thousands of New Yorkers every year. Our fear is that, even with the new funds, the program will run out of money this spring and thousands of New Yorkers will find themselves in need of assistance to keep their power on.