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For Immediate Release Date: April 26, 2005 Contact: Delegate David D. Rudolph Phone: 410-841-3444 Delegate Rudolph Leader in Prescription Legislation For Maryland Citizens (Annapolis, MD) - During the recently concluded 2005 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate approved two pieces of legislation designed to expand access to prescription drugs for low income Marylanders and allow the state to enter into bulk purchasing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to save the state money in its pharmaceutical expenditures. The legislation now awaits the Governor's signature. "These pieces of legislation are a major step in the right direction," commented Del. David D. Rudolph, Chairman, Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee, HGO Committee (D-Cecil). "I worked with my colleagues in the Senate to get the legislation approved and sent to the Governor for his signature." Throughout the 90-day legislative session Delegate Rudolph, worked with the state Health Department to identify opportunities to expand access to pharmaceuticals for Maryland citizens seeking lower costs drugs. HB 1143 Maryland Pharmacy Discount Program - State Discount - Eligibility, sponsored by Delegate Rudolph, will provide pharmaceuticals benefits through the Maryland Pharmacy Discount Program for an additional 30,000 individuals who do not presently receive coverage now. The second piece of legislation sponsored by Delegate Rudolph, HB 1287 Maryland Rx Program, directs the state Employee Program to enter into bulk purchasing agreements to reduce the state's expenditures on pharmaceuticals. Local governments could also join the program and reap savings. "Delegate Rudolph has done a tremendous job leading the HGO Pharmaceutical Subcommittee this year," commented Del. John A. Hurson, Chairman, HGO Committee (D-Montgomery). "He has really become a legislative expert in the issues involved with prescription drugs for the House of Delegates." When Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch created the Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee in the HGO Committee last autumn, he and Chairman Hurson tapped Delegate Rudolph to lead the new subcommittee. Under Del. Rudolph's tenure as Pharmaceuticals Chairman, the House of Delegates has approved legislation that has re-designed the state's prescription drug programs in light of the federal Medicare Part D program, expanded access to pharmaceutical benefits for approximately 30,000 low income Marylanders, and provided greater transparency to highly profitable Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). back to press releases |