05 LC 33
0828S
The
Senate Health and Human Services Committee offered the following substitute to
SB 243:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend of Chapter 6 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to services for the aging, so as to enact a new article; to provide for
the development of a strategy for disseminating information to the public
concerning the availability of pharmaceutical assistance programs and
pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs; to provide for the
coordination of such dissemination of information through the Division of Aging
Services of the Department of Human Resources; to provide for the establishment
and maintenance of a website and a toll_free telephone number for the
dissemination of information; to ensure that area agencies on aging receive
adequate information concerning the services; to provide for the encouragement
of pharmaceutical manufacturers to include user_friendly application forms for
pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs on their respective websites;
to provide for an analysis of the feasibility of developing a single application
form for eligibility; to provide that the director of the Division of Aging
Services may appoint an advisory task force; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
6 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to services
for the aging, is amended by adding a new article to read as
follows:
"ARTICLE
8
49_6_90.
(a)
The Division of Aging Services of the Department of Human Resources shall
develop a strategy, in coordination with the area agencies on aging, as defined
in Code Section 49_6_72, and other private and nonprofit organizations, for
disseminating information to the public concerning the availability of
pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing card
programs and for training senior citizen volunteers to assist in completing
applications for pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount
purchasing cards.
(b)
The Division of Aging Services shall coordinate the dissemination of information
to the public regarding any pharmaceutical assistance programs and any
pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs while maintaining a neutral
posture regarding such programs. The information shall include pharmaceutical
benefits provided under the medicare program and how such benefits may help
senior citizens with the costs of pharmaceutical benefits.
(c)
The Division of Aging Services shall establish and maintain a website to provide
for the dissemination of information pursuant to this Code section.
(d)
The Division of Aging Services shall establish and maintain a toll_free
telephone number which shall provide recorded information regarding
pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards
and other services available through the division and other appropriate agencies
or organizations.
(e)
The Division of Aging Services shall ensure that each area agency on aging is
provided with adequate information concerning the services provided by and
through the division, including, but not limited to, its toll_free telephone
number and website information on pharmaceutical assistance programs and
pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs provided pursuant to this Code
section.
(f)(1)
The Division of Aging Services shall encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to
include application forms for pharmaceutical discount purchasing card programs
on their respective websites in a format capable of being downloaded and printed
by consumers. When practicable, the website maintained by the division shall
include direct links to such forms.
(2)
The Division of Aging Services shall report to the Governor and the General
Assembly no later than October 30, 2005, on the feasibility of developing a
single application form for citizens of this state to use to seek eligibility
for existing pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount
purchasing cards. In determining feasibility, the Division of Aging Services
shall obtain copies of the application forms used by such pharmaceutical
assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount purchasing cards in this state,
compile a list of the various information required to complete such application
forms, identify common elements, and analyze the forms for readability and
simplicity. Upon completion of this analysis, the Division of Aging Services
shall assess the feasibility of designing a single, concise application form
that is logically formatted, written in clear and easily understandable
language, and covers any and all data that may be required to obtain eligibility
for any such pharmaceutical assistance programs and pharmaceutical discount
purchasing cards.
(g)
The director of the division may appoint an advisory task force of stakeholders
to assist the department in meeting the requirements of subsections (a) and (f)
of this Code
section."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.