C.S.H.B. 1920 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1920
By: Capelo
Public Health
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas has participated in the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
since its inception in 1994.  Children eligible for VFC include those of
Native American or Native Alaskan heritage and children on Medicaid.
Texas VFC also provides vaccines for children covered by the Children's
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and underinsured children (children whose
insurance company does not provide coverage for vaccine).  According to
TDH, 70% of children born in Texas qualify for VFC.  At present, the fee
paid to physicians for administering vaccines is below the cost of
providing the vaccine.  C.S.H.B. 1920 attempts to increase awareness of
the Vaccines for Children program and make the application process less of
a burden for providers.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution.   

ANALYSIS

The bill requires the department to develop continuing education programs
for providers relating to immunizations and the vaccines for children
program operated by the department.  The bill specifies what will be
required in the educational materials.  In order to develop the continuing
education programs and materials, the department is required to establish
a work group that consists of physicians, nurses, department
representatives, and members of the public. 

The bill clarifies that in Sec. 531.063, "vaccines for children program"
refers to the program operated by the Texas Department of Health.  The
bill requires the Health and Human Services commission to allow a provider
to enroll in the vaccines for children program on the same form that the
provider completes to apply as a Medicaid health care provider.  The bill
requires the commission to allow providers to use the immunization
registry to report vaccines administered under the program.  


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute differs from the original bill in that it deletes all
language referring to informational materials and only refers to
continuing education programs.  "Physician" is replaced with "provider"
when referring to the continuing education programs.  The substitute also
includes representatives of managed care organizations and health plan
providers to be included in the department's work group.   

The substitute differs from the original bill taking out the provision
that a provider can enroll in VFC on CHIP enrollment forms.  Also the
subsection concerning provider reimbursement has been removed in the
substitute.