Revision: Jan. 25, 2019, 9:40 a.m.
SB 260-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2019 SESSION
19-1099
05/01
SENATE BILL 260-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Rep. Merchant, Sull. 4
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill directs the department of health and human services to develop a prescription drug assistance program to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors who have reached the gap in standard Medicare Part D coverage. The bill also makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the program.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19-1099
05/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this act is to assist seniors with prescription drug costs when they reach the coverage limit for prescription drugs under the Medicare Part D program. Since most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap, often called the “donut hole,” the general court finds that there is a need for a state assistance plan to supplement or wrap around the benefit available under the federal program to ensure that low income seniors retain access to necessary medication during this potential gap in coverage.
2 New Subdivision; Department of Health and Human Services; Development of Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Seniors. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 77 the following new subdivision:
Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Seniors
126-A:78 Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Seniors.
I. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall develop a prescription drug assistance program for seniors. The purpose of the program shall be to wraparound or supplement the federal prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D by paying the out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for eligible individuals who have reached the coverage gap, known as the donut hole, under Medicare Part D. The program shall be the payer of last resort for the provision of outpatient prescription drug coverage. The program shall be available to individuals age 65 or older who have a gross annual household income of 200 percent or less of the federal poverty level and who meet such additional criteria as the department may establish. The commissioner shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to program enrollment and administration.
II. On or before November 1, 2019, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit a report regarding the development and implementation of the prescription drug assistance program for seniors to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, the senate health and human services committee, and the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee. The report shall include program structure, eligibility criteria, an estimate of program cost and scope, and any recommendation for a supplemental appropriation or other legislation.
3 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services. For the purpose of funding the prescription drug assistance program for seniors established in section 2 of this act, the sum of $1 for the biennium ending June 30, 2021, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
19-1099
1/24/19
SB 260-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
|
| |||
| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 |
Appropriation | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill inserts a new section after RSA 126-A:77 requiring the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a program for prescription drug assistance which supplements the federal prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D. The program would provide assistance for individuals age 65 or older who have a gross annual household income of 200 percent or less of the federal poverty level and who meet additional criteria established by the Department. The bill also contains an appropriation of $1 for the biennium ending FY 2021 for the purposes of funding the program.
The Department anticipates an indeterminable increase to expenditures, but it is unable to provide cost estimates. It states it cannot accurately determine how many New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries are both 65 and older and have a gross annual household income of 200 percent or less of the federal poverty level. It is also unable to provide an estimate without knowing what, if any, additional criteria the Department will establish to determine eligibility.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services