By Isett H.B. No. 3681 76R7341 CLG-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the use of competitive bidding for certain functions 1-3 and components of the Medicaid vendor drug program. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 32.0461 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 32.0461. VENDOR DRUG PROGRAM; COMPETITIVE BIDDING. (a) 1-8 In consultation and coordination with the State Council on 1-9 Competitive Government, the Texas Department of Health shall seek 1-10 competitive bids for the claims processing function of the vendor 1-11 drug program. The department and the Texas Department of Human 1-12 Services may submit a bid proposal under this section in the same 1-13 manner as a private entity. 1-14 (b) The Texas Department of Health shall require any person 1-15 seeking to contract for services under this section to comply with 1-16 competitive bidding procedures adopted by that department. 1-17 (c) The Texas Department of Health may award a contract 1-18 under this section to another person only if the department and the 1-19 State Council on Competitive Government determine that the 1-20 provision of services under that contract would be more cost 1-21 effective than having employees of the department continue to 1-22 process claims. 1-23 (d) The Texas Department of Health, in conjunction with the 1-24 State Council on Competitive Government, shall evaluate other 2-1 components and functions of the vendor drug program that could be 2-2 provided more effectively through the use of competitive bidding. 2-3 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-4 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-5 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.