Many not-for-profit hospitals routinely charge insurers and patients 300 percent to 400 percent over pharmaceutical costs.

Pill-splitting can be an effective way to save money on pharmaceutical costs.

"The real problem is the pharmaceutical cost is out of control."

Under the governor's proposal, the state would pay for all the local governments' pharmaceutical costs.

Additionally, while pharmaceutical costs may be rising and need to be controlled, there is another side to that issue.

If Congress adds outpatient drug benefits to Medicare, the federal government would pick up those pharmaceutical costs.

Under the Republican proposal, the government would subsidize private insurance to cover pharmaceutical costs for Medicare beneficiaries.

This covered most hospital and physician cost while the dental and pharmaceutical costs were primarily paid for by individuals.

Secondly, accurate and effective information can increase citizens' awareness of the burden of pharmaceutical costs on public spending.

Under the proposal, Medicare would cover about $2,000 of the first $5,000 of pharmaceutical costs.