2021 -- H 5166

========

LC000137

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND BEST RX

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR THE UNINSURED

     

     Introduced By: Representative David A. Bennett

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2021

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Section 42-66.2.1-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-66.2.1 entitled

2

"Rhode Island Best RX Prescription Drug Discount Program for the Uninsured" is hereby amended

3

to read as follows:

4

     42-66.2.1-4.1. Discount agreements.

5

     (a) The contractor shall be authorized to negotiate and enter into agreements with

6

manufacturers and pharmacies to provide discounts on prescription drugs. In general, the contractor

7

shall seek discounts from pharmacies and manufacturers that are comparable to those available

8

under health plans that provide pharmacy benefits to employees of state and local government

9

entities.

10

     (b) The departments of human services and elderly affairs, in consultation with the

11

contractor, shall establish maximum prices to be charged an enrollee, and the contractor shall

12

establish and publicize special value prices where it has established a significant discount on a

13

generic drug or where a drug's manufacturer has agreed to subsidize discounts by making quarterly

14

rebate payments. The contractor shall establish any arrangements for compensating pharmacies

15

where the prices payable by enrollees have been reduced using manufacturer rebates, and for

16

collecting administrative fees paid by enrollees to pharmacies. The contractor shall establish

17

arrangements for facilitating application by Best Rx enrollees to patient assistance programs

18

offered by participating manufacturers.

 

1

     (c) Pharmacy dispensing fees shall be uniformly established in advance at an amount that

2

shall not exceed two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per prescription, and shall be paid directly to

3

the pharmacy by the program beneficiaries.

4

     (d) The departments of human services and elderly affairs, in consultation with the

5

contractor as defined in ยง 42-66.2-3 shall ensure that no copays are assessed to any enrollee

6

pursuant to this chapter.

7

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC000137

========

 

LC000137 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND BEST RX

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR THE UNINSURED

***

1

     This act would require that enrollees in the Rhode Island best RX Prescription drug

2

discount program for the uninsured are not charged a copay for their prescriptions.

3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC000137

========

 

LC000137 - Page 3 of 3