free choice by individuals eligible for medical assistance

free choice by individuals eligible for medical assistance Sec. 227. (a) Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act is amended— (1) by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (21); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (22) and inserting in lieu thereof “; and ”; and (3) by adding after paragraph (22) the following new paragraph: “(23) provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance (including drugs) may obtain such assistance from any institution, agency, community pharmacy, or person, qualified to perform the service or services required (including an organization 81 Stat. 904which provides such services, or arranges for their availability, on a prepayment basis), who undertakes to provide him such services.” (b) The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to calendar quarters beginning after .June 30, 1969; except that such amendments shall apply in the case of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam only with repect to calendar quarters beginning after June 30, 1972.