Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

HJM 4003

Brief Description:  Requesting the addition of a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.

Sponsors:  Representatives Marine (co‑prime sponsor), Darneille (co‑prime sponsor), Skinner, Cody, Ballasiotes, Schual‑Berke, Campbell, Conway, O'Brien, Haigh, Kenney, Ruderman, Kagi and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Congress is requested to add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program.

Hearing Date:  2/9/01

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background: 

When the Medicare program was established in 1965 it did not include a prescription drug benefit .  With the development and introduction of many new prescription drugs targeted to scores of diseases, prescription drugs has become an integral component of the health care system.  Many senior citizens find that they cannot afford to purchase prescription drug coverage or afford the retail cost of purchasing their own drugs.

Summary of Bill: 

The Congress is requested to add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.