Jan 17, 2006 — The federal government's new prescription drug plan for Medicaid patients took effect January 1st. And there have been widespread problems. People were denied their medications or charged exorbitant amounts as a result of flaws in the program. Governor Pataki suspended the new rules on Friday as have many other governors.

Mildred Giardano went a week without heart medication while the Franklin Office for the Aging worked on getting her signed up for a plan. Now she's getting her meds, but still paying more for her copay than she can afford.