HOUSE BILL 497

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Danice Picraux

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY OF THE SENIOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE RETIREE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 10-7C-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2002, Chapter 75, Section 2 and Laws 2002, Chapter 80, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "10-7C-17. CREATION OF SENIOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM.--

          A. The "senior prescription drug program" is created in the authority.

          B. To be eligible for the senior prescription drug program, a person shall:

                (1) be a resident of the state; and

                (2) be sixty-five years of age or older or be receiving social security disability benefits.

          C. Upon a determination that the person qualifies for the senior prescription drug program, the authority may assess an annual administrative fee not to exceed sixty dollars ($60.00) per year. The authority shall collect the fees, which shall be used by the authority to cover the cost of administering the program.

          D. The amount a qualified person pays for a prescription drug shall not exceed the total cost of the dispensing fee plus the contracted discounted price made available to the authority for this group of seniors.

          E. The authority shall enroll and provide participants with electronic or other form of membership identification for use by pharmacies for each transaction.

          F. The authority shall actively promote membership and benefit information on the senior prescription drug program to seniors and the general public throughout the state."

     Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

- 2 -