Study proves the co-pay connection in chronic disease

Lowering drug co-pays for chronic disease patients increases use of important preventive medicines

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — As 2008 begins, millions of Americans are having to dig deeper into their own pockets every time they refill a prescription or see a doctor.

The reason" Higher co-payments that took effect January 1, as employers try to deal with the rising cost of health insurance by making employees and retirees pay more.

But a new study finds that instead of going up, co-pays should go down – at least for some people taking some drugs.