By Luna H.B. No. 3420 75R9347 DLF-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to prescription drug coverage under health plans offered 1-3 by health maintenance organizations. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. The Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act 1-6 (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code) is amended by adding 1-7 Section 14A to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 14A. COPAYMENTS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. A health 1-9 maintenance organization may not apply a copayment or similar 1-10 charge under a health care plan to a benefit for a prescription 1-11 drug to the extent that the copayment or charge exceeds the usual 1-12 and customary amount charged for the prescription drug by the 1-13 pharmacy that is filling the prescription. 1-14 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997, and 1-15 applies only to coverage under an evidence of coverage that is 1-16 delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 1-17 1998. An evidence of coverage that is delivered, issued for 1-18 delivery, or renewed before January 1, 1998, is governed by the law 1-19 as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, 1-20 and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. 1-21 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.