H.B. 143                                                 VETOES

(iii) The Baltimore metropolitan area;

(iv) The Maryland counties in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area; and

(v) Southern Maryland, including Anne Arundel County.

(2) The Foundation shall use Medbank of Maryland, Inc. and the
Western Maryland Prescription Program as the regional offices for the Baltimore
metropolitan area and Western Maryland, respectively SHALL BE THE CENTRAL
COORDINATING OFFICE FOR THE STATE.

(g) Eligibility for the Program shall be limited only by the criteria established
by pharmaceutical manufacturers for their patient assistance programs.

(h) (1) The Foundation DEPARTMENT shall require detailed financial
reports at least quarterly from the entities that operate the Program MEDBANK OF
MARYLAND, INC.

(2) The Foundation MEDBANK OF MARYLAND, INC. shall release funds to
the entities that operate the Program as needed and justified by the quarterly reports
filed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(i) On or before December 1, 2001, and annually thereafter, the Foundation
DEPARTMENT AND MEDBANK OF MARYLAND, INC. shall report to the Governor and,
in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General
Assembly, on the status of the Maryland Medbank Program established under this
section, including:

(1)     The number and demographic characteristics of the State residents
served by the Program;

(2)     The types and retail value of prescription drugs accessed through the
Program;

(3)     The nature and extent of outreach performed to inform State
residents of the assistance available through the Program; and

(4)     The total volume and retail value of each brand name drug, by
manufacturer, accessed through the Program.

(J) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER, THE
GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUDE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATION OF
AT LEAST $3,000,000 TO THE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUEST FUNDING
IN THE BUDGET FOR TRANSFER TO THE FOUNDATION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
MAKING ONE OR MORE GRANTS TO ENTITIES TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM AS
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION.

Chapter 134 of the Acta of 2001

SECTION 12. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sections 3 and 1 of this
Act shall take effect July 1, 2001. On the earlier of the end of June 30, 2003, or the
availability of comparable prescription drug benefits provided by Medicare under

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