FACTS ABOUT THE DRAPER VOUCHER

Costs Taxpayer Money

The Draper Voucher Initiative provides taxpayer vouchers worth $4,000 to
private school students to subsidize their tuition, costing California
taxpayers $2.5 billion.
The initiative provides taxpayer vouchers to those students who leave public
schools to attend private voucher schools, costing an additional $3 to $4
billion and resulting in a loss of funding to those local public schools.
Paying for the initiative will mean either a tax increase or cuts in vital
programs like public education, law enforcement, health care, childcare, and
transportation.

Provides No Accountability

Any person or company can start a private school and receive the $4,000
voucher per enrolled student.
Private voucher schools are not accountable for whether kids are learning or
not. Private schools are exempt from the stateís new curriculum standards,
minimum performance standards, and high school exit exam.
Private voucher schools are not accountable for how they spend our tax
dollars. Taxpayers would not be allowed to review the financial records of
private schools.
The Draper Initiative exempts private voucher schools from provisions of
state building code, including earthquake, fire and safety standards for
school construction and maintenance.

Allows Discrimination

Unlike public schools, private voucher schools are not required to let any
child attend who wishes to do so.
Under this initiative private voucher schools are allowed to discriminate
against students on the basis of gender, religion, IQ, ability to pay, and
physical or mental disability.
Private voucher schools are not required to tell parents why they have
rejected a childís admission.

Deceives Voters

The Draper Voucher Initative is a deceptive bait and switchî tactic that
claims to raise per pupil funding to the national average, but doesnít
require the Legislature to do it or provide the money to do so.
The initiative could end $3 billion per year in guaranteed funding for
community colleges, childcare, and state schools for the seriously disabled.

BLUE CROSS AND PERSCRIPTION DRUGS

Certain drugs must be pre-approved by Blue Cross when prescribed by your
doctor. Drugs commonly used for the Blue Cross pre-approval process are very
expensive, unapproved by FDA, or have the potential for medication mishaps
and/or poor outcomes.

Currently Blue Cross has pre-approval criteria in place for growth hormones,
Enbrel, Viagra, Celebres, Vioxx, and Lotornex. For these specific
medications, a pre-authorization form needs to be completed by the physician
and faxed to the WellPoint Pharmacy Pre-Authorization Center. The request
will be reviewed within 48 hours. If the situation is urgent, the physician
may call directly to speak to a Blue Cross Representative. Once approval is
obtained, generally a lifetime authorization is in effect for chronic
conditions, and for 30 days plus one refill for acute conditions. For more
information call 800.700-2541.

Blue Cross also has a preferred drug program (PDP). There are 50
non-preferred drugs listed below. Medical literature has shown that the
Non-preferred drugs affected by PDP are therapeutically equivalent to their
preferred alternatives. Although these drugs are used by only 3.8% of our
total membership, the drug classes affected represent over 38% of our total
prescription cost.


Non-Preferred Medications Preferred Alternatives Usual Indications
Cataflam, Daypro, EC-Naprosyn, Lodine, Lodine XL, Naprelan, Oruvail, Relafen,
Voltaren, Voltaren XR, Ultram Ibuprogen, Naproxen, Arthorotec Pain,
Arthritis Atacand, Cozaar, Micardis Avapro, Diovan Hypertension
Hyzaar Avalide, Diovan HCT Hypertension
Capoten, Vasotec Accupril, Captopril, Lotensim, Zestril Hypertension
Capozide, Vaseretic Accuretic, Captopril/HCTZ, Lotensin HCT, Zestoretic
Hypertension
Covera HS Verelan PM Hypertension, Chest Pain
Procardoa XL, Nifedipine ER Adalat CC, Norvasc, Plendil Hypertension, Chest
Pain
Baycol, Mevacor, Zocor Lescol, Lipitor, Pravachol Cholesterol
Aciphex, Prilosec Prevacid Ulcer, Gastric Reflux
Axcid, Pepcid Cimetidine, Ranitidine Ulcer, Fastric Reflux
Demulen, Ovcon Ortho-Novum Contraceptive
Levite Alesse Contraceptives
Nor-QD Micronor Contraceptives
Ambien, Doral, Sonata Temazepam, Triazolam Sleep
Nasacort, Nasacort AQ, Nasalide, Nasarel Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort,
Vancenase/AQ Allergy
Exelderm, Lamisil topical. Loprox, Lortrisone, Mentax, naftin, Nizoral
topical, Oxistat, Spectazole Clotrimazole OTC +/-, Hydrocortisone OTC
Skin Infection
Cenestin Premarin Hormone Replacemnt