The Washington state Legislature on June 5 passed a bill (SB 6088) that calls for the state to adopt a Medicaid preferred drug list that would be created by a committee of medical professionals, the Seattle Times reports. The committee would evaluate classes of drugs and choose ones that are equally effective but have the best price, the Times reports (Garber, Seattle Times, 6/6). Doctors who want to prescribe drugs not on the formulary could do so by writing "dispense as written" on the prescription, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports (Cook, AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 6/5). The bill also calls for the state Department of Social and Health Services to ask for federal permission to cover prescription drug costs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities through Medicaid, the Times reports. If approved, people with disabilities and individuals older than age 50 with annual incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level would be eligible. According to state officials, 590,000 Washington residents would be eligible, including 177,000 without health insurance. The bill also calls for the creation of a toll-free number that would dispense information about drug companies' discount medication programs and the establishment of community forums where seniors can go to get information about prescription drug use and costs. The bill is expected to save the state $16 million over the next two years, the Times reports (Seattle Times, 6/6). Implementing the bill would cost $6.8 million, according to the AP/Post-Intelligencer. The bill now goes to the Gov. Gary Locke (D), who is expected to sign it (AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 6/5).