ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 270

Approved May 13, 2003.

CHAPTER 270
(House Bill 17)

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program - Eligibility

FOR the purpose of altering the eligibility guidelines for participation in the
Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program; making a certain technical correction;
and generally relating to pharmacy assistance programs.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Health - General
Section 15-124
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2000 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

15-124.

(a) [(1)] The Department shall maintain a Maryland Pharmacy Assistance
Program for low income individuals whose:

[(i)] (1) Assets are not more than [1.5 times the amount of
accountable resources according to the asset schedule of the Maryland Medical
Assistance Program] THE LEVEL ESTABLISHED BY THE FEDERAL CENTERS FOR
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES UNDER THE QUALIFIED MEDICARE
BENEFICIARY PROGRAM; and

[(ii)] (2) Gross annual income does not exceed[:

1.       $4,600 plus $500 for each individual over 1 in a family
unit] 116% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR 100% OF
THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR A FAMILY OF TWO OR MORE[; and

2.       An annual increase set by the Secretary under paragraph
(2)(ii)4 of this subsection.

(2) (i) 1. In this paragraph the following words have the meanings
indicated.

2. "Income disregard" means the exclusion of up to $1,000 of
annual income earned by an individual as a client of a sheltered workshop if the
individual's sole other income is derived from a Social Security payment.

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