A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR NORTH CAROLINA SENIOR CITIZENS.
Whereas, in October 2006, the NCRx program was established to provide premium assistance to help lower‑income seniors participate in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program; and
Whereas, the NCRx program offers an $18.00 per month premium subsidy for eligible seniors for the least expensive prescription drug plan in North Carolina, which requires a $265.00 annual deductible; and
Whereas, premium assistance under NCRx became available in January 2007 and as of March 2007, NCRx has approved 3,849 applications for assistance, with an additional 932 applications currently in process; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to increase premium assistance under the NCRx program by seven dollars and thirty cents ($7.30) per member per month to cover the full premium cost of the least expensive plan that does not carry an annual deductible.  Funds appropriated under this act will provide premium assistance to up to 5,700 participants.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.