The Butler County commissioners would have been wrong if they had rejected entering a national program that provides significant prescription drug discounts to county residents who lack full medical benefits.

However, the commissioners' responsibility didn't end with their approval of the county's participation. They must continue to monitor how the program is operating here, to ensure there are no negative deviations from the optimistic way the program was described.

The county fathers should have a means for learning quickly if any problems or inefficiencies arise — and there should be periodic reports as to how many county residents are using the program and how much county residents have been able to save by using it.

The program was set up by the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Commissioner Scott Lowe was not out of line in asking, "What's the catch?" In some ways, the program does seem too good to be true.

For example, there is reported to be no application process; people only need to pick up a card that will be available beginning in October at locations such as municipal buildings, libraries and senior centers. Even pet prescriptions are covered under the program.

But for some people the amount of the prescription discounts might be the most eye-catching element of the program. The discounts will be 13 percent to 34 percent; the average discount was projected to be 20 percent.

What obviously caught the attention of the commissioners was that the program is self-sustaining. There are no tax dollars involved.

The program is set up through Caremark Rx of Nashville, Tenn. According to Andrew Goldschmidt, NACo director of membership marketing, participating pharmacies give a portion of the transaction fee assessed to customers to Caremark in exchange for the extra business that results from the use of the discount cards.

Between the transaction fees and drug manufacturer rebates, Caremark's costs are covered, Goldschmidt said.

Program participants will need only the Caremark discount card when picking up their prescriptions at their pharmacies. And, there reportedly are no age or income limitations tied to the program.

At a time when things seem to become more, rather than less, complex, the Caremark program seems to be a refreshing change. It is to be hoped that it lives up to how it was portrayed at a commissioners meeting Wednesday.

The people with the power to ensure that it does, and to be sure that no one is misled about any aspect of it, are the commissioners.

The commissioners' approval of the program on Wednesday was just the beginning of the county's involvement with what seems to be a beneficial venture. The commissioners must continue to ensure that there are no unpleasant, costly surprises for the people who enroll.