07 LC 35
0620
Senate
Resolution 619
By:
Senators Murphy of the 27th and Hudgens of the 47th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on Prescription Drugs; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
prescription drug prices are one of the critical health care issues facing many
citizens throughout Georgia and our nation today; and
WHEREAS,
for many who live on very limited or fixed retirement incomes, the rising costs
of their prescription drugs or prescription drugs for their children are a
constant source of anxiety that often exacerbates existing health problems;
and
WHEREAS,
the manner and process by which prescriptions are provided by physicians or
other practitioners and filled by pharmacists may unnecessarily contribute to
the high costs and anxiety associated with prescription drugs and the lack of
available affordable medical insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS,
the citizens of this state are expecting the General Assembly to take meaningful
and informed action with regard to medical insurance and prescription drug
costs; and
WHEREAS,
the current law found in Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 relating to
prescription drugs does not adequately address the issue of whether the practice
of "prior approval" of physicians for certain prescription medications is a
cost-effective, necessary, or equitable practice or whether it is in the best
interest of the health and welfare of Georgia citizens for such practice to be
permitted to continue; and
WHEREAS,
many treating physicians are opposed to the imposition of "prior approval"
requirements by insurance companies as these practices are costly and
unnecessarily time consuming for doctors and medical staff, as well as patients;
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia is committed to protecting the health and welfare of its
citizens but there continues to be a genuine need for leadership in
investigating ways to ease the burden of the cost of medical prescriptions for
our citizens.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Prescription Drugs to be composed of five members of the Senate to
be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall designate one member as
the chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and
recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or
appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such
times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and
purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the
allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees
but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days
are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event
the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with
suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or
before December 31, 2007. The committee shall stand abolished on January 31,
2008.