SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 281 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 281 77R12145 MCK-DBy: Nelson Health & Human Services 4/6/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.S.B. 281 requires TDH to allow each health care provider participating in the federal 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 "federal 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from the original by defining "federal vaccines for children program" rather than "vaccines for children program." Makes conforming changes.