While the logo remains, whatever was left of the old Happy Harry’s has now died. Reuters is reporting that Walgreen now refuses to fill the prescriptions of Delawareans on Medicaid.
CHICAGO, June 4 (Reuters) – Walgreen Co (WAG.N) said on Thursday it would no longer fill Medicaid prescriptions at its Delaware pharmacies starting next month in protest against the state’s plan to slash reimbursements for drugs.
In a press release DHSS puts it this way:
Walgreens Turns Its Back on Delaware’s Neediest Citizens
Illinois-based company refuses to serve state’s Medicaid customers
WILMINGTON – Refusing to share in the sacrifice necessary to help Delaware meet its historic budget challenge, Walgreens Pharmacies announced Thursday that it will no longer fill Medicaid prescriptions in the First State, according to the Department of Health and Social Services.
DHSS point out the bullshit behind the company’s claims that it can only afford to serve wealthy customers:
Walgreens, according to its recent SEC filing in January 2009, enjoyed $59 billion in total revenue and $2.2 billion in net income for its last reported fiscal year. In addition, Walgreens recently reported second quarter sales of $16.5 billion, a record for the company.
This isn’t the first time Walgreen has been in the news recenty. Yes, these are the same scumbags that advertised the “Chia Obama” last November. But more relevant to this news about screwing Delawareans…
According to this kos diary, the company recently had to settle a $9 million whistle blower suit when an employee tipped off the feds that the company was ripping off Medicaid.
The company wasn’t simply skimming some money off of Uncle Sam like any red blooded Republican company – but it was also switching the types of drugs it was giving medicaid patients:
Pharmacy retailer Walgreens has agreed to fork over $35 million to settle allegations that it squeezed the government out of additional reimbursements by improperly switching the type of drugs given to Medicaid patients, the Justice Department said in a press release this week.