Participation by Public Officials in Non-Contributory Prescription Drug Plan

P. W. BROWN, First Deputy Attorney General, and SATINSKY, Deputy Attorney General,

You have asked whether elected and appointed officials of the Commonwealth may participate in a noncontributory prescription drug plan which has been approved by the Executive Board for management employes, or whether the participation by these officers in the program would violate article III, sec. 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The program calls for the Commonwealth to subsidize the purchase of prescription medicines in much the same way as it already defrays the cost of Blue Cross/Shield and group life…