By Doug Cunningham

Missouri is suing the federal government later this month over the Medicare Part D drug benefit program. California will join the suit filed directly with the U.S. Supreme Court. John Fougere is a spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.

[John Fougere 1] : "The Medicare Part D, which took effect January first, has not only left many seniors without needed medication, but in our view it also saddled our taxpayers here in Missouri with $400 million in additional costs over the next five years while infringing dramatically on state sovereignity."

Nationwide at least 100,000 seniors eligible for the program are having problems getting their medicines under the program. Fougere says for state governments this program is turning out to be very costly and not very effective at delivering prescription drugs to the elderly who need them.

[Fougere 2] : "This was originally touted as a measure that would help seniors with obtaining their medication and cost the state no more than what it was currently spending on prescription drugs. But it really is not making the mark on either count."

In addition to Califronia and Missouri, texas, New Jersey and Kentucky are also likely to join the Medicare Part D suit