NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.



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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Aragon DATE TYPED: 02/21/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Prescription Program Act SB 767
ANALYST: Wilson


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
See Narrative



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates House Bill 877.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Agency on Aging (AOA)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

Attorney General's Office (AG)



No Response

Department of Health (DOH)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



SB 767 resolves that the Department of Health shall establish a voluntary statewide program for certain New Mexican residents and senior citizens for access to affordable prescription medications. Subsidy grants will be paid directly to participating pharmacies and be fiscally monitored by an appointed Prescription Program Board, who will give annual progress reports to the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee and the Legislative Finance Committee.



Significant Issues.





Annual Household Income Subsidy Grant Amount
<$12,700 90%
$12,700 - $14,800 80%
$14,800 - $17,000 50%
$17,000 - $19,100 20%
$19,100 - 21,500 10%
>$21,500 0%




FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



SB767 relies on private support and possible federal grants and support for funding. If the program is implemented , DOH will likely return to the legislature for operational funds.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



SB767 will require staffing and support services. However, the DOH has not provided any information.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Duplicates HB 877, Prescription Drug Program



Relates to:



SB 140, Indian Prescription Drug Purchase

SB 141, Prescription Drug Discount Act

SB 142, Prescription Drug Fair Pricing

SB 143, Prescription Drug Senior Program

SB 144, Prescription Drug Bulk Purchasing



TECHNICAL ISSUES



SB 767 creates the non-reverting Prescription Program Fund, but does not appropriate any money. The AG has provided the following technical issue:

Eligibility for the program is not available to a resident who has prescription drug coverage under a '…health insurance plan or program:…'. This language would not explicitly exclude from eligibility those who have prescription drug coverage under non-underwritten programs, such as ERISA exempt programs or other programs which are not insurance (not underwritten). Residency requirements have been successfully challenged in some states as impeding the Constitutional right to travel and thus unenforceable. This residency requirement seems reasonable and thus more likely to successfully withstand legal challenge.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The HPC provided the following:





DW/ar