Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 18	House Author:  Oliverson et al.
Effective:  9-1-21	Senate Sponsor:  Kolkhorst et al.

            House Bill 18, to be known as "Texas Cares," amends the Health and Safety Code to establish a prescription drug savings program for certain uninsured individuals under which the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) may contract with a pharmacy benefit manager to provide discounted prescription drugs to program enrollees. The bill sets out provisions relating to the development and implementation of the program by HHSC, including provisions relating to enrollee cost sharing and the establishment of a program trust fund. Under the program, enrollees use money from the fund to pay an amount equal to the value of a prescription drug rebate at the point of sale, and that rebate amount is returned to the fund so that the program is cost neutral. The bill requires HHSC to suspend the program on its fourth anniversary and seek legislative approval to continue the program unless the ongoing program costs are fully funded through enrollee cost sharing.

            House Bill 18 requires HHSC to conduct or contract to conduct a community outreach and education campaign to provide information on the program's availability to eligible individuals, to submit annual legislative reports on the program, and to conduct certain studies on the program's effectiveness. Implementation of a provision of this bill by HHSC is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.