SRC-MLC, TJG S.B. 43 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 43 78R1428 MCK-DBy: Zaffirini Health and Human Services 2/13/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The Texas Pediatric Society, in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital of Houston, has received a grant funded by both the Texas Department of Health (TDH) and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pilot a Houston-based physician-tophysician immunization education program known as Educating Physicians In your Community (EPIC). EPIC's mission is to improve the health of children through community-based medical education. EPIC aims to provide quality, practical education to all members of a provider's office, including medical, nursing, and support staff. EPIC's functions include the education and evaluation of 100 pediatric and family medicine practices as well as an assessment of the program in the form of a final report. As proposed, S.B. 43 would require the Texas Department of Health to provide a final report on EPIC and, if the pilot program is successful, to make recommendations for its expansion, cost-effectiveness, and future funding. 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. Requires the Texas Department of Health to report to the legislature the results of the educating physicians in your community pilot program operated by the Texas Pediatric Society, no later than October 1, 2005. Requires the report to include certain items. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.