2000 SESSION

00-2512

01/09

SENATE BILL 367

COMMITTEE: Public Institutions, Health and Human Services

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study prescription drug access.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

00-2512

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

208:1 Statement of Purpose.

I. The general court recognizes that there is a growing problem in the affordability and accessibility of prescription drugs. The general court also recognizes that there have been rapid increases in the complexity and cost of such medication and, at the same time, there have been sharp increases in the cost of health care insurance and reductions in coverage of pharmaceutical services. As a consequence, many persons find themselves unable to pay for the medications they need to address serious health concerns and to assist in maintaining optimal health.

II. The general court notes that various initiatives have been undertaken or considered in this state and elsewhere in the nation to reduce barriers to affordable medications. The general court further notes that at this point it is not clear which initiatives, if any, will be effective in addressing the problem of access to pharmacy services and, therefore, the general court needs to study the issue and determine a course for further legislative action to resolve access problems.

208:2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study prescription drug access.

208:3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

208:4 Duties; Administrative Support. The committee shall review and assess all aspects of the problem related to the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs. The committee shall review initiatives undertaken in New Hampshire and other states to address the problem, including the senior discount drug program developed by the department of health and human services. The department of health and human services shall provide administrative support to the committee.

208:5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

208:6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2000.

208:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

(Approved: May 30, 2000)

(Effective Date: July 29, 2000)