BILL NUMBER: AB 73INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Waldron DECEMBER 18, 2014 An act to add Section 14133.06 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 73, as introduced, Waldron. Medi-Cal: benefits: prescription drugs. Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid Program provisions. Existing law specifies the benefits provided pursuant to the program, including the purchase of prescribed drugs that are covered subject to utilization controls. Utilization controls include a requirement that the treatment provider obtain prior authorization for providing medical treatment, as specified. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to include specified therapeutic drug classes, as prescribed by a licensed prescriber in his or her reasonable, professional judgment, as a covered Medi-Cal benefit, to the extent permitted by federal law. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 14133.06 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 14133.06. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to include specified therapeutic drug classes, as prescribed by a licensed prescriber in his or her reasonable, professional judgment, as a covered benefit under this chapter, to the extent permitted by federal law.