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.