Amador County – Amador County Supervisor Chairman John Plasse presented a royalty check to the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency’s Amador Lifeline program for $10,237 on Tuesday, the royalty proceeds from the county’s participation in a “Coast to Coast Rx Card” program.

Plasse said it came from a small royalty from prescription drug purchases made with the discount card, and the funds were divided between Amador Lifeline and the Amador Senior Center. Plasse said the program, with a free discount card, is on pace to exceed $16,800 in royalty earned this year. He said it is good for both pet and people prescription purchases.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said they should also note that it is a program that Plasse brought forth for the county. Supervisor Ted Novelli also noted that it was also picked up by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC).

Plasse said CSAC “found this Coast to Coast program was more beneficial” and had “now seen fit to change their program.” He said it was “validation of our decision” to enroll in the program.

Supervisor Louis Boitano said CSAC’s former discount program was beneficial because it “picked up the dues of the rest of the counties that participated.”

Plasse presented a check to Virginia Manner, executive director of Amador Lifeline. Manner said the funding “allows 225 people to stay in their homes in Amador County.” It gives them alert buttons to summon fire, medical and police aid, and supports peoples’ independence.

She said the funding also helps Amador Lifeline Community Foundation’s 25 members who pay a small fee and get continued access to groceries, doctors and other services.

Manner thanked supervisors and also her 27 volunteers and allow the program to offer free installation. She said “my goal is $20,000 next year, and it’s a lofty goal, but I got $10,000 this year.”

Manner said her daughter and their friends use the Coast to Coast cards in Lake Tahoe, and she brought sign-up cards for the program. The sign-ups in Amador County can benefit the county programs with royalties anywhere they make drug purchases. Plasse said “53,000 pharmacies nationwide accept this card.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.