HB425: establishing the prescription drug cost task force.

HB 425 - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0533

01/09

HOUSE BILL 425

AN ACT establishing the prescription drug cost task force.

SPONSORS: Rep. Akins, Graf 18; Rep. Griffin, Rock 76; Rep. Dalrymple, Rock 76; Sen. Peterson, Dist 11; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes the prescription drug cost task force. Under this bill, the task force is to study issues regarding cost of prescription drugs for New Hampshire citizens.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0533

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT establishing the prescription drug cost task force.

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

1 Task Force Established. There is hereby established the prescription drug cost task force.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the task force shall be as follows:

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

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

(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(d) The insurance commissioner, or designee.

(e) A representative of the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by such society.

(f) Two public members, appointed by the governor.

(g) A physician licensed under RSA 329, appointed by the board of medicine.

(h) A licensed pharmacist, appointed by the New Hampshire board of pharmacy.

II. The task force may solicit information from any source the task force deems relevant.

III. Legislative members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.

3 Duties. The task force shall study prescription drug costs in New Hampshire by analyzing the effectiveness of a range of options or solutions to enable citizens to purchase necessary prescription drugs at the lowest possible price and to ensure access to such prescription drugs. The task force's study shall include but not be limited to:

I. A review of RSA 318:47-d, RSA 126-A:3,V, and any other relevant laws.

II. The feasibility of establishing a nonprofit pharmacy program, possibly in conjunction with other states.

III. Whether New Hampshire should become a member of the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices.

IV. How to convey information relative to cost effectiveness of drugs to consumers and doctors thereby making them more informed consumers.

V. Any other matter relative to prescription drugs the task force deems relevant.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Six members of the task force shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The task force shall make an interim report on or before November 1, 2003 and a final report on or before November 1, 2004, together with its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.