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2000 SESSION

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SB 539 Pharmaceutical Assistance Program; created.

Introduced by: Madison E. Marye | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. Establishes, within the Department of Health, the Virginia Pharmaceutical Assistance Program for the purpose of assuring that individuals who are 65 years old or older and whose incomes do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level have access to medically necessary prescription drugs. The Board of Health is required to (i) use the Medicaid methodology for calculating income eligibility, (ii) establish a methodology for allowing participation of individuals who are eligible and whose prescription drug costs are covered, in part, by a health benefits plan or health insurance; (iii) give priority to individuals who do not have prescription drug coverage from any health benefits plan or health insurance; (iv) establish a formulary of covered drugs; and (v) appoint an advisory committee of no more than 20 citizens with expertise in prescription drug formularies or experience with the issues related to prescription drug coverage and senior citizens. The Board's regulations will also include a sliding fee scale of copayments, establish supply limits, and establish criteria for contracting for the procurement of drugs. This program will not be an entitlement and would only be available to the extent that funds are appropriated. The Board of Health is provided an exception from the procurement act for this program. Emergency regulations are required in a second enactment clause, and a third enactment clause authorizes the Board of Health to implement the program as a pilot to serve a predetermined number of clients on a first-come, first-served basis in the 2000-2002 biennium.


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