HBA-NRS S.B. 282 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 282
By: Nelson
Public Health
7/10/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The vaccines for children program (program) was developed to support
efforts to increase childhood immunization levels by providing vaccines to
eligible children. Over 70 percent of the state's children are eligible for
the program and many health care providers need to participate to serve
such a large number of patients. Increasing the number of providers
enrolled in the program will increase the number of places where parents
can take their children for vaccinations and may also reduce the number of
vaccines administered in largely understaffed public health clinics by
shifting patients to private physicians' offices where patients may also
receive more comprehensive medical care. Senate Bill 282 requires the Texas
Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials
designed to promote the vaccines for children program to health care
providers not currently enrolled in the program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 282 requires the Texas Department of Health not later than
October 1, 2001, to develop and distribute educational materials designed
to promote and increase awareness of the vaccines for children program to
each health care provider, including a Medicaid provider, who is not
enrolled but is otherwise eligible to participate in the vaccines for
children program. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 22, 2001.