SENATE, No. 487
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED JANUARY 22, 1996
By Senator CASEY
AN Act amending and supplementing "An Act making appropriations for the support of the State Government and the several public purposes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996 and regulating the disbursement thereof," approved June 30, 1995 (P.L.1995, c.164).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.1995, c.164, there is appropriated out of the General Fund the following sum for the purpose specified:
GENERAL FUND 54 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 20 Physical and Mental Health 24 Special Health Services 7540 Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services - Grants-In-Aid |
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24-7540 Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled................. |
$751,000 |
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Grants: |
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Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged --Claims ....... |
($751,000) |
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2. The following language provision of Section 1 of P.L.1995, c.164, (page 128) is amended to read as follows:
Nothwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-22) to the contrary, the copayment in the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program shall be [$5.00] $3.50. The monies hereinabove appropriated shall be charged to the Casino Revenue Fund.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.164, s.1)
3. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.1995, c.164, there is appropriated out of the Casino Revenue Fund the following sum for the purpose specified:
CASINO REVENUE FUND 54 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 20 Physical and Mental Health 24 Special Health Services 7540 Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services Grants-In-Aid |
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24-7540 Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled.................. |
$2,618,000 |
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Grants: |
|
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Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled- Claims, P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.) ....... |
($2,618,000) |
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4. The following language provisions of section 1 of P.L.1995, c.164 (page 186) is amended to read as follows:
Nothwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-22) to the contrary, the copayment in the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program shall be [$5.00] $3.50. The monies hereinabove appropriated shall be charged to the Casino Revenue Fund.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.164, s.1)
5. This act shall take effect on February 1, 1996.
STATEMENT
The PAAD copayment had been increased from $2.00 to $5.00 per prescription several years ago due to a reduction in the amount of available Casino Revenue Funds. Available information indicated that Casino Revenue taxes will exceed the $298.2 million anticipated as part of the FY 1996 appropriations act. Such additional revenues should be used to reduce the PAAD copayment from $5.00 to $3.50.
This bill appropriates $751,000 from the General Fund and $2,618,000 from the Casino Revenue Fund to enable the PAAD copayment to be reduced from $5.00 to $3.50 per prescription. However, the General Fund appropriation is to be charged to the Casino Revenue Fund.
Supplemental appropriation of $751,000 from the General Fund and $2,618,000 in Casino Revenue Funds to DHS to reduce the copayment in the PAAD program from $5.00 to $3.50 per prescription.