GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 185

Short Title:  Prescription Drugs/Elderly.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Forrester, Perdue; Allran, Ballantine, Carpenter, Carter, Cochrane, Foxx, Garwood, Gulley, Hoyle, Kinnaird, Martin of Pitt, Odom, Purcell, and Warren.

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Referred to:  Appropriations/Base Budget.

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March 1, 999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS OVER AGE SIXTY-FIVE AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health, the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year and the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to pay the cost of prescription drugs for persons:
(1)	Over the age of 65 years and not eligible for full Medicaid benefits;
(2)	Whose income is not more than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty level; and
(3)	Who have been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.
These funds shall be used to pay the cost of prescription drugs for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.  Payment shall be not more than the Medicaid cost including rebates.  The Division shall develop criteria to maximize the efficient and effective distribution of these drugs.
Section 2. It is the intent of the General Assembly that funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act are start-up funds to encourage a public/private partnership for assisting low-income senior citizens in obtaining prescription medications.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health, shall explore ways to develop this public/private partnership so that private funds may be made available for this purpose in future fiscal years.
Section 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.