September 20, 2005, Introduced by Reps. Donigan, Meisner, Vagnozzi, Gonzales, Hopgood, Anderson, Brandenburg, Condino, Sheltrown, Kathleen Law, Alma Smith, Plakas, Tobocman, Byrum, Waters, Cushingberry, Zelenko and Bieda and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
A bill to amend 1984 PA 431, entitled
"The management and budget act,"
(MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594) by adding section 260.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 260. (1) The legislature finds and declares the
following:
(a) I-SaveRx is a prescription drug program implemented by
Illinois' governor in October 2004.
(b) I-SaveRx allows all Illinois residents to refill
prescriptions for 100 of the most common prescription drugs used to
treat chronic illnesses from a network of inspected and approved
pharmacies and wholesalers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and
Ireland. The program is accessible through a website and 24-hour
toll-free telephone number.
(c) Participants in I-Save Rx are expected to save an average
of 25% to 50% on the cost of medications. The program includes
provisions to ensure the safety and quality of the prescriptions by
requiring the inspection and approval of the pharmacies or
wholesalers that participate.
(d) Since implementation of I-SaveRx, Wisconsin, Missouri, and
Kansas have joined the program.
(e) Since Michigan residents also require alternate timely
access to safe, high quality, and efficacious prescription drugs
that are not available in the United States at affordable prices,
Michigan should join and work with Illinois to provide residents of
this state with an alternate program to secure safe and affordable
prescription drugs.
(2) The department shall join the I-SaveRx program and allow
residents of this state to purchase prescription drugs through the
I-SaveRx program.
(3) One year after this state joins the I-SaveRx program, the
department shall submit a written report to the legislature, the
governor, and the state budget director that includes, but is not
limited to, the number of residents enrolled in the program and the
savings incurred as a result of joining this program.