EXECUTIVE ORDER
06-05

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services was established pursuant to Article IV, Section 37 of the Missouri Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Senior Services was established pursuant to Section 192.005, RSMo; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Rx Plan Advisory Commission ("Commission") was established by Section 208.792. 1, RSMo, and is currently assigned to the Department of Health and Senior Services; and

WHEREAS, the Commission provides advice on guidelines, policies, and procedures necessary to establish the Missouri Rx plan; educates Missouri residents on quality prescription drug programs and cost-containment strategies in medication therapy; and assists Missouri residents in enrolling or accessing prescription drug assistance programs for which they are eligible; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Rx Plan was established pursuant to Section 208.782, RSMo and assigned to the Department of Social Services; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Missouri Rx Plan is to provide certain pharmaceutical benefits to certain elderly and disabled residents of this state, to facilitate coordination of benefits between the Missouri Rx plan and the federal Medicare Part D drug benefit program, as well as to enroll such individuals in said program; and

WHEREAS, consolidation of the Commission and the Missouri Rx Plan within one department would increase efficiencies and eliminate duplication of efforts and is a component of the Governor's Executive Branch Reorganization Plan of 2006; and

WHEREAS, I am committed to integrating executive branch operations to ensure that the state delivers quality services in the most accessible manner and at the lowest cost to taxpayers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order the Missouri Department of Social Services and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, to cooperate to:

1. Transfer all the authority, powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, property, contracts, budgets, matters pending, and other pertinent vestiges of the Missouri Rx Plan Advisory Commission from the Department of Health and Senior Services to the Department of Social Services; and
2. Develop mechanisms and processes necessary to effectively transfer the Missouri Rx Plan Advisory Commission to the Department of Social Services; and
3. Take the steps necessary to maintain compliance with federal requirements, so as not to jeopardize federal financial participation with this consolidation.

This Order shall become effective no sooner than August 28, 2006 unless disapproved within sixty days of its submission to the Second Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson on this 1st day of February, 2006.

ATTEST:

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