[Federal Register: March 5, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 44)]
[Notices]
[Page 10455-10456]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr04-79]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-2200-N2]
Medicare Program; Establishment of the State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Transition Commission
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the establishment of the State
Pharmaceutical Assistance Transition Commission (the Commission) that
will develop a proposal for addressing the unique transitional issues
facing State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAP) and SPAP
participants due to the implementation of the voluntary prescription
drug benefit program under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security
Act.
This notice also announces the signing by the Secretary on March 1,
2004 of the charter establishing the Commission. The charter will
terminate 30 days after the date of the submission of the report to
Congress, but no later than January 31, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marge Watchorn, Health Insurance
Specialist, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mail stop S2-01-16, Baltimore, MD 21244-
1850, (410) 786-4361.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 106 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173), enacted on December
8, 2003, mandates that the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services (the Secretary) establish a State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Transition Commission (the Commission) by March 1, 2004. The
Commission will develop a proposal for addressing the unique
transitional issues facing State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
(SPAP) and SPAP participants due to the implementation of the voluntary
prescription drug benefit program under part D of title XVIII of the
Social Security Act (the Act), as added by section 101 of the MMA.
The Commission, chartered under section 106 of the MMA, Pub. L.
108-173, is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, which sets forth standards
for the formation and use of advisory committees.
The composition of the Commission must include the following:
A representative of each Governor of each State
that the Secretary identifies as operating, on a statewide basis, an
SPAP that provides for eligibility and benefits that are comparable to,
or more generous than, the low-income assistance and eligibility and
benefits offered under section 1860D-14 of the Act.
Representatives from other States that the
Secretary identifies have in operation other SPAPs, as appointed by the
Secretary.
Representatives of organizations that have an
inherent interest in program participants or the program itself, as
appointed by the Secretary.
Representatives of Medicare Advantage
organizations, pharmaceutical benefit managers, and other private
health insurance plans, as appointed by the Secretary.
The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee) and
any other members that the Secretary may specify. The Secretary will
designate a member to serve as Chair of the Commission and the
Commission will meet at the call of the Chair.
II. Provisions of the Notice
This notice announces the signing of the State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Transition Commission charter by the Secretary on March 1,
2004. The charter will terminate 30 days after the date of the
submission of the report to Congress, but no later than January 31,
2005.
III. Report to Congress
By no later than January 1, 2005, the Commission shall submit to
the President and Congress a report that contains a detailed proposal
(including specific legislative or administrative recommendations, if
any) and other recommendations as the Commission deems appropriate.
IV. Copies of the Charter
You may obtain a copy of the charter for the State Pharmaceutical
Assistance Transition Commission by submitting a request to Marge
Watchorn, Health Insurance Specialist, Center for
[[Page 10456]]
Medicaid and State Operations, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop S2-01-16, Baltimore, MD
21244-1850. (410) 786-4361, or E-Mail the request to
mwatchorn@cms.hhs.gov.
Authority: Section 106 of the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.778, Medical
Assistance Program)
Dated: February 26, 2004.
Dennis G. Smith,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-4907 Filed 3-1-04; 4:54 pm]
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