Section 208.553

Title XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Chapter 208

Effective - 05 Oct 2001, 2 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  *208.553.  Commission for the Missouri Senior Rx program established, members, terms, duties, expenses. — 1. There is hereby established the "Commission for the Missouri Senior Rx Program" within the division of aging in the department of health and senior services to govern the operation of the Missouri Senior Rx program established in section 208.556. The commission shall consist of the following fifteen members:

  (1) The lieutenant governor, in his or her capacity as advocate for the elderly;

  (2) Two members of the senate, with one member from the majority party appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and one member of the minority party appointed by the president pro tem of the senate with the concurrence of the minority floor leader of the senate;

  (3) Two members of the house of representatives, with one member from the majority party appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member of the minority party appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives with the concurrence of the minority floor leader of the house of representatives;

  (4) The director of the division of medical services in the department of social services;

  (5) The director of the division of aging in the department of health and senior services;

  (6) The chairperson of the commission on special health, psychological and social needs of minority older individuals;

  (7) The following four members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate:

  (a) A pharmacist;

  (b) A physician;

  (c) A representative from a senior advocacy group; and

  (d) A representative from an area agency on aging;

  (8) A representative from the pharmaceutical manufacturers industry as a nonvoting member appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;

  (9) One public member appointed by the president pro tem of the senate; and

  (10) One public member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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In making the initial appointment to the committee, the governor, president pro tem, and speaker shall stagger the terms of the appointees so that four members serve initial terms of two years, four members serve initial terms of three years, four members serve initial terms of four years and one member serves an initial term of one year. All members appointed thereafter shall serve three-year terms. All members shall be eligible for reappointment. The commission shall elect a chair and may employ an executive director and such professional, clerical, and research personnel as may be necessary to assist in the performance of the commission's duties.

  2. Recognizing the unique medical needs of the senior African American population, the president pro tem of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives and governor will collaborate to ensure that there is adequate minority representation among legislative members and other members of the commission.

  3. The commission:

  (1) May establish guidelines, policies, and procedures necessary to establish the Missouri Senior Rx program;

  (2) Shall hold quarterly meetings within fifteen days of the submission of each quarterly report required in subsection 16 of section 208.556, and other meetings as deemed necessary;

  (3) May establish guidelines and collect information and data to promote and facilitate the program;

  (4) May, after implementation of the program, evaluate and make recommendations to the governor and general assembly regarding the creation of a senior prescription drug benefit available to seniors who are not eligible for the program due to income that does not meet the program requirements;

  (5) Shall have rulemaking authority for the implementation and administration of the program;

  (6) The commission shall utilize the definition of "generic drug" as defined pursuant to section 208.550 as a general guideline and the commission may revise such definition, by rule, for the purpose of maximizing the use of generic drugs in the program.

  4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their service on the commission, but shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as a member of the commission.

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(L. 2001 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3 merged with S.B. 4, et al.)

Effective 10-5-01

*Reauthorization date, see § 208.574