Huckabee Wants Drug Program Fixed By Feb. 15 — $5.5 Million Paid for Disqualified Prescriptions

By Andrew DeMillo Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Thursday he hopes problems with the Medicare drug program will be fixed before the state’s deadline to fill prescriptions arrives next week.

Huckabee, speaking on National Public Radio, said Arkansas has already paid at least $5.5 million to fill prescriptions that are being denied under the program. The state has said it will reimburse pharmacists for filling prescriptions until Feb. 15.

“I’m hoping that by then we have that worked out,” Huckabee said.

Huckabee said he’s been frustrated with the startup of the program, which began Jan. 1, but said he believes it will eventually be beneficial to the state’s seniors.

The governor spoke with NPR host Diane Rehm’s show while in Washington for National Governors Association meetings. He spoke mostly about his weight loss and thoughts on health care programs.

Huckabee, who lost more than 100 pounds after being diagnosed with diabetes, said he hopes his weight loss is providing an example for others who have suffered from obesity.

The governor, who’s written a book about his weight loss, described the looks he would get from fellow airplane passengers because of his girth.

“I was a horrible role model,” Huckabee said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot to atone for.”

Huckabee, who has been widely speculated as a potential presidential candidate, said he hasn’t decided if he’ll run in 2008. The term-limited Republican governor leaves office in January 2007.

“I’m leaving that as an open option. I’d be disingenuous if I said I haven’t thought about it,” Huckabee said. “I’m going to at least give consideration to it.”