Chapter 240

2004 -- H 7416 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

Enacted 07/01/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

Introduced By: Representatives Costantino, Slater, Anguilla, Malik, and Carter

Date Introduced: January 29, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-66.2 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmaceutical Assistance

to the Elderly Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

42-66.2-11. Special Legislative Commission to Reconcile the Provisions of the

Pharmaceutical Assistance Program with the Medicare Prescription Drug and

Modernization Act of 2003. – Due to the passage of the federal Medicare Prescription Drug and

Modernization Act of 2003, some consumers of the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance for

the Elderly Program will be eligible for federal Medicare coverage for some of their medication

needs. It is the intent of the general assembly to study the provisions of the new federal act for

Medicare prescription coverage and make recommendations for adjustments to the Rhode Island

Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly Program as necessary to ensure the maximum possible

coverage and benefit to eligible consumers. The Special Legislative Commission to Reconcile

the Provisions of the Pharmaceutical Assistance Program with the Medicare Prescription Drug

and Modernization Act of 2003 shall be composed of ten (10) members, one of whom shall be the

director of the department of human services, one of whom shall be the director of the department

of elderly affairs, four (4) of whom shall be appointed from the house of representatives by the

speaker of the house, with one of said appointees belonging to the minority leader, and four (4) of

whom shall be appointed from the senate by the president of the senate, with one of said

appointees belonging to the minority leader. The commission shall choose from among its

member’s co-chairpersons representing both chambers. State agencies shall make available any

information deemed necessary by the commission to complete its task. The commission shall

make its recommendations to the house and senate committees on finance on or before February

15, 2005.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01259/SUB A

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