A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY WAYS THE STATE CAN COORDINATE AND FACILITATE PUBLIC ACCESS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FREE AND DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall study ways the State can coordinate and facilitate public access to public and private free and discount prescription drug programs for senior citizens.  In undertaking this study, the Department shall consider the coordination and facilitation methods being implemented by other states.  On or before January 1, 2003, the Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging.  The report shall include the following:
(1)	A description of the various coordination and facilitation methods considered.
(2)	A description of the coordination and facilitation methods of other states.
(3)	A recommendation as to the best way to coordinate and facilitate access in this State, which shall include the reasons for the recommendation, a fiscal analysis of the cost of the recommendation, and whether any legislation is necessary to implement the recommendation.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.