SRC-CTC S.B. 281 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 281
77R1007 MCK-DBy: Nelson
Health & Human Services
3/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas purchases vaccinations through a quarterly procurement
process in which a vaccine manufacturer is awarded a contract on the basis
of the lowest bid presented.  The state then makes these vaccines available
to health care providers to be delivered to needy patients.  The Texas
Department of Health (TDH) is currently considering the costs and benefits
of moving toward a choice system to allow health care providers a choice of
equivalently priced vaccines.  As proposed, S.B. 281 requires TDH to allow
each health care provider participating in the vaccines for children
program to select vaccines from a certain list and to use combination
vaccines. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 161A, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
161.010, as follows: 

Sec. 161.010.  VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM.  Defines "vaccines for
children program."  Requires the Texas Department of Health to allow each
health care provider participating in the program to select vaccines from a
certain list and to use combination vaccines. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.