House Sponsors: ERWIN-DAVIS,MONIQUE. Short description: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BENEFITS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Prescription Drugs Benefits Act. Requires the Department on Aging to establish a prescription drug benefit program for persons 65 years of age or older and, subject to income eligibility requirements, for disabled persons. The program shall be administered through a contractual benefit manager. Requires the Department to set premiums and deductibles. Requires the program to pay eligible expenditures on prescription drugs, subject to certain co-payments. Authorizes a mail service program. Creates a prescription drug review commission to review the program and make recommendations. FISCAL NOTE (Department on Aging) The annual administrative cost, operating the procurement pro- cess, security, the data processing system, hot line/800# costs and staff, marketing and print public relations materials, mailing costs, phone system, equipment costs, to contract with the mail service providers, to monitor the program on a quar- terly basis, to hold hearings, to staff the commission, legal, fiscal and personnel, training, legislative and have research staff for the program would cost at least $2.3 million. The cost to operate an income verification system would be about $6 million. This figure does not include program costs. Total administrative cost: $18.3 million. FISCAL NOTE, CORRECTED (Department on Aging) Changes the "total administrative cost" figure from $18.3 million to $8.3 million". The fiscal impact remains the same. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status