| Account | Description | FY07 GAA |
FY08 GAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9110-1455 | Prescription Advantage For the costs of the drug insurance program authorized by section 39 of chapter 19A of the General Laws; provided, that amounts received by the executive office of elder affairs' vendor as premium revenue for this program may be retained and expended by the vendor for the purposes of the program; provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be made available for the operation of the pharmacy outreach program established by section 4C of said chapter 19A; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, prescription drug coverage or benefits payable by the executive office of elder affairs, and the entities with which it has contracted for administration of the subsidized catastrophic drug insurance program pursuant to said section 39 of said chapter 19A, shall be the payer of last resort for this program for eligible persons with regard to any other third-party prescription coverage or benefits available to such eligible persons; provided further, that the executive office shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means not less than 90 days in advance of any action to limit or cap the number of enrollees in the program; provided further, that this program is subject to appropriation and expenditures shall not exceed, in fiscal year 2008, the amount authorized in this item; provided further, that no action shall be taken to expand the benefits of the program, extend benefits to additional populations or reduce cost sharing in the program without approval of the general court; provided further, that the department shall file all legislation required to implement such actions for review and analysis by the general court; provided further, that the executive office shall take steps for the coordination of benefits with the Medicare prescription drug benefit created pursuant to the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, to ensure that Massachusetts residents take advantage of said benefit; provided further, that the department shall provide assistance for prescription drug costs to enrollees who qualify for Medicare Part D as well as assistance for premiums, deductibles, payments, and co-payments required by the Part D or Medicare Advantage plans; or by other plans which provide creditable prescription drug coverage as defined by section 104 of said Medicare Modernization Act, and which provide coverage of the cost of prescription drugs actuarially equal to or better than that provided by Medicare Part D; provided further, that the secretary shall not implement cost sharing increases during fiscal year 2008 unless the executive office has given 90 days notice to the general court and has received approval of the proposed plan from a majority of the general court; provided further, that a person shall also be eligible to enroll in the program at any time within a year after reaching age 65; and provided further, that the department shall allow those who meet the program eligibility criteria to enroll in the program at any time during the year |
63,572,979 | 60,504,455 |
Veto Explanation: I am reducing this item to an amount consistent with the agency's declining caseload projections and historical reversions.
| SPENDING CATEGORY |
FY04 Spending |
FY05 Spending |
FY06 Spending |
FY07 Spending |
FY08 GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | 821 | 1,113 | 1,264 | 1,688 | 1,675 |
| Pensions & Benefits | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
| Operating Expenses | 49 | 18 | 14 | 76 | 76 |
| Public Assistance | 93,045 | 97,856 | 89,911 | 55,653 | 58,584 |
| Aid to Cities & Towns | 149 | 135 | 145 | 150 | 152 |
| TOTAL | 94,072 | 99,132 | 91,348 | 57,585 | 60,504 |
| EARMARK DESCRIPTION |
FY08 |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Outreach Program | 600,000 |