SENATE, No. 571

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 1996

 

 

By Senator BASSANO

 

 

An Act concerning copayments in the “Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled” program, amending P.L.1979, c.27 and supplementing P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.).

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. (New Section) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-22) to the contrary, the Commissioner of Human Services may, effective January 1 of each year, change the copayment required pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-22) if the commissioner determines that monies appropriated to the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program are insufficient to meet the costs of the program for that fiscal year. The revised copayment shall be effective for the full calendar year in which it is revised and shall be adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

 

    2. Section 1 of P.L.1979, c.27 (C.30:4D-34) is amended to read as follows:

    1. Any eligible person under the program of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled shall, upon the submission of such application and proof of expenditure as the department may prescribe, be reimbursed for the cost of all prescription drugs purchased by such person, minus [a $2.00] the copayment per prescription, during the period commencing 30 days after such person's properly completed application was received by the department and ending on the date on which such person received his proof of eligibility from the department; provided, however, that no reimbursement under this act shall be made for any prescription drug purchased prior to the effective date of this act.

(cf: P.L.1979, c.383, s.1)


    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Human Services to change the copayment for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program effective January 1 of each year if he determines that monies appropriated to the program are insufficient for that year.

    Presently, the copayment for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program is $5.00 per prescription. The copayment was increased from $2.00 to $5.00 in the fiscal year 1994 annual appropriations act.

 

 

 

Authorizes Commissioner of Human Services to annually revise copayment in PAAD program if necessary.