6153-S.E AMH  HARD 19

ESSB 6153 - H AMD TO H AMD(H-2783.1/01) 347 FAILED 6/15/01

By Representative ___

     On page 67, line 14, increase the health services account appropriation by $60,000,000

     Correct the total accordingly.

     On page 68, after line 10, insert the following:

A(5) $30,000,000 of the health services account appropriation for fiscal year 2002, and $30,000,000 of the health services account appropriation for fiscal year 2003 is provided in order for the health care authority to operate a prescription medication assistance program.  The authority shall provide financial assistance to individuals sixty-five years old and older with a household income above the eligibility standard for medicaid categorically needy coverage and below two hundred and fifty percent of the federal poverty guidelines and whose prescription medication costs exceed two hundred and fifty dollars per month.  The administrator shall determine an appropriate standard benefit for recipients and if the administrator determines that the funds appropriated for the program are not sufficient to serve all individuals who qualify for assistance, the administrator must take steps necessary to limit program expenditures to an amount equal to appropriated funds.  Funding for this program shall be financed from the receipt of tobacco settlement  money.@

EFFECT:  Creates a prescription assistance programs for low-income seniors with high prescription costs funded from monies received from the tobacco settlement.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Increases Other Funds by $60,000,000.