Sandy Knoesel responds to Nancy Hamant re: Wisconsin's pharmacy benefit program

[See June 28 postings for Nancy Hamant's original letter to Sandy Knoesel]

June 30, 2006

Ms. Knoesel,

Thank you for providing the STRS update. We retirees in Warren County have long thought that the "middle-contractors or PBMs" have not been forthcoming in their services to STRS. Hopefully, something can be done before 2007, as WCRTA does not want "one more dime" of STRS health care money going to line the pockets of PBM CEO's.

Nancy B. Hamant

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From Sandy Knoesel:

Thank you for sending us this information. I want to assure you that staff stays up to date on innovative approaches to the delivery of health care. In fact, Eric Stanchfield, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds and Nancy Nankivill Bennett, director, gave a presentation on the developments in Wisconsin to the Ohio Retiree Health Care Coalition meeting at STRS Ohio in May 2004. Staff has continued to follow the developments in Wisconsin. By the way, we are currently having discussions with the Ohio State University, the Department of Administrative Services, OPERS, SERS and OP&F to look at alternative and improved ways to purchase prescription drugs on behalf our members. I appreciate your continued interest.