AN ACT

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; PROVIDING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM.

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

     Section 1. CREATION OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM.--

          A. The human services department shall create a prescription drug discount card program with the cooperation and assistance of the department of health and the aging and long-term services department. For the purposes of this section, "program" means the prescription drug discount card program.

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

                (1) be a resident of the state;

                (2) be less than sixty-five years of age;

                (3) not have any other prescription drug benefit; and

                (4) voluntarily enroll.

          C. Upon a determination that a person qualifies for the program, the human services department shall enroll and provide participants with an electronic or other form of membership identification for use by pharmacies for each transaction.

          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 enrolled persons.

          E. The human services department, in cooperation with the department of health and the aging and long-term services department, shall actively promote membership and benefit information on the program to the general public statewide.