2019 -- H 5204

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LC000645

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

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

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR THE UNINSURED

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Fogarty, Diaz, Edwards, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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amended to read as follows:

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     42-66.2.1-4.1. Discount agreements.

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

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

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

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

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government entities.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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programs offered by participating manufacturers.

 

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

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

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the pharmacy by the program beneficiaries.

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

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

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pursuant to this chapter.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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

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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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