SB 5721 - DIGEST

Creates a pharmacy access program with the intention of implementing strategies to reduce the cost of prescription drugs to the state and assuring state residents of continued access to necessary, appropriate, and affordable medications.

Directs the department to submit and, upon approval, implement a section 1115 research and demonstration waiver request to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services to establish a medicaid senior prescription drug assistance program. The program shall: (1) Cover persons age sixty-five years old or older with household incomes up to one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level who otherwise lack prescription drug insurance coverage;

(2) Provide a pharmacy benefit as comprehensive as that provided in the current Washington medicaid state plan; and

(3) Include reasonable enrollee premiums and cost sharing.

Requires the department to limit enrollment as necessary to prevent an over expenditure of the program's appropriation.