Chapter 357

2004 -- S 2886 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

Enacted 07/02/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT FOR THE UNINSURED

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Gallo, Sheehan, Perry, and Roberts

Date Introduced: February 11, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 66.2.1

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR THE UNINSURED

42-66.2.1-1. Short title. – This act shall be called the "Rhode Island Prescription Drug

Discount Program for the Uninsured."

42-66.2.1-2. Discount drug program. – The departments of human services and elderly

affairs shall develop a prescription drug discount program for the uninsured to be implemented on

or before March 15, 2005, and the department of elderly affairs shall issue a request for proposal

to entities for the management of the discount program.

42-66.2.1-3. Program eligibility. – (a) Persons who are residents of this state between

nineteen (19) and sixty-five (65) years of age and have an annual family income at or below two

hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level, and are uninsured for prescription drugs

shall be eligible for the prescription drug discount program offered under the provisions of this

chapter.

(b) Persons eligible shall not include an individual who is eligible, or has been eligible for

the four (4) months prior to the application for the drug discount program offered under the

provisions of this chapter, for outpatient prescription drug coverage under a health benefits

program paid for in whole or in part by an employer, Medicaid, Medicare, or another state or

federal health plan or pharmaceutical assistance program that uses state or federal funds to pay

part or all of the individual's prescription drug costs.

42-66.2.1-4. Annual enrollment fee. – There shall be an annual enrollment fee sufficient

to cover all expenses related to the management of the discount program and shall not exceed

thirty dollars ($30.00) per year. Pharmacy dispensing fees shall be uniformly established in

advance, and paid directly to the pharmacy by the program beneficiaries.

42-66.2.1-5. Reporting requirements. – The departments of human services and elderly

affairs shall issue a report on April 15, 2005 to the Joint Legislative Committee on Health Care

Oversight on the status of the prescription drug discount program design and implementation.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02726/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT FOR THE UNINSURED

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     This act would make eligibility changes to the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly

Act.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2005.

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LC02726/SUB A

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