MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Mettetal

AN ACT TO CREATE THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TASK FORCE TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF EXISTING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE IN MISSISSIPPI, EXAMINE AND STUDY APPROACHES TAKEN IN OTHER STATES TO HELP MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTIONS BY THE LEGISLATURE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES TO MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL MAKE A REPORT OF ITS WORK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2000; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE ASSIGNED TO THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY, AND THE DIVISION SHALL DESIGNATE STAFF TO ASSIST THE TASK FORCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Prescription Drug Coverage Task Force, which shall be composed of thirteen (13) members as follows:

(a) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the Senate;

(b) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the House of Representatives;

(c) One (1) member of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(d) One (1) member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(e) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid;

(f) The Commissioner of Insurance;

(g) Two (2) persons who are representatives of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, to be appointed by the Governor;

(h) One (1) person who is a pharmacist licensed in Mississippi, to be appointed by the Governor; and

(i) Two (2) other persons appointed by the Governor.

(2) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership, and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. Members of the task force shall receive a per diem in the amount provided in Section 25-3-69 for each day engaged in the business of the task force. Members of the task force other than the legislative members shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the task force in accordance with Section 25-3-41, and the legislative members of the task force shall receive the expense allowance provided for in Section 5-1-47.

(3) The duties of the task force shall be to:

(a) Make a comprehensive study of prescription drug coverage in Mississippi, examining existing coverage under health insurance plans and government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare; the problems that residents of Mississippi have in obtaining necessary prescription drugs at affordable prices; and the number and demographics of those residents of Mississippi who are unable to obtain necessary prescription drugs because of their high cost;

(b) Examine and study approaches taken by other states to help make prescription drugs more affordable for the elderly and other persons, specifically the program in Maine, which provides discounts on drugs to residents who lack coverage; the program in California, which requires pharmacies participating in Medicaid to supply the same discounts to Medicare beneficiaries; and the program in Texas, which provides for voluntary drug rebates to be passed on to residents enrolled in certain programs; and

(c) Make recommendations for actions by the Legislature and executive branch agencies to make prescription drugs more affordable for residents of Mississippi.

(4) Before December 15, 2000, the task force shall make a report of its work and shall submit a copy of the report to the Legislature and the Governor.

(5) The task force shall be assigned to the Division of Medicaid for administrative purposes only, and the division shall designate staff to assist the task force. The task force may solicit grants, donations and other funds, and may accept and expend any funds that are made available to the task force to carry out its purpose.

(6) All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges, shall cooperate with the task force with such assistance as requested by the task force.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.