Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §258 is enacted to read:

§258.__Prescription drug consortium established

The department shall establish or join with other states in a consortium for purchasing prescription drugs for low-income and elderly residents of the State.__The department shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on or before January 1, 2000 on progress in establishing a consortium.__The report must include recommendations for legislation and rulemaking to implement a program to distribute to low-income and elderly residents the prescription drugs purchased through the consortium.

SUMMARY

This bill directs the Department of Human Services to establish or join with other states in a consortium for the purchase of prescription drugs for low-income and elderly Maine residents. The bill requires a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2000 containing recommendations for legislation and rulemaking.