SRC-VRA S.B. 516 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 516
78R1019 MCK-DBy: Shapleigh
Health & Human Services
3/17/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently Texas participates in the Federal Vaccines for Children Program
(VFC) under the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC).  TVFC
currently has over 10,000 providers enrolled and continually seeks to
enroll new providers.  Such programs are critical to prepare a child's
body to fight illness and create immunity.  As proposed, S.B. 516 directs
the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop continuing education
programs for physicians related to immunizations and vaccines.  The bill
also requires TDH to administer an Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and
Exchange evaluation program to assess immunization practices of
physicians. 

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
Sections 161.0095 and 161.0096, as follows: 

Sec.  161.0095.  PHYSICIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS.  (a)  Requires the Texas
Department of Health (TDH) to develop continuing education programs for
physicians relating to immunizations and the vaccines for children program
operated by TDH under authority of 42 U.S.C.  Section 1396s, as amended.
Requires TDH, in developing the continuing education programs and
materials, to consult with health care providers. 

  (b)  Requires TDH to perform certain functions.

Sec.  161.0096.  PHYSICIAN EVALUATION.  Requires TDH to administer an
Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and Exchange evaluation program (AFIX)
to assess immunization practices of physicians, including physicians who
provide immunizations to children but who are not enrolled as
participating providers in the vaccines for children program operated by
TDH under the authority of 42 U.S.C. Section 1396s, as amended.     

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.063, as follows: 

Sec.  531.063.  VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM PROVIDER ENROLLMENT AND
REIMBURSEMENT.  (a)  Defines "vaccines for children program."   

(b)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to ensure
that a provider can enroll in the vaccines for children program on the
same form the provider completes to apply as a Medicaid health care
provider and a children's health insurance program health care provider. 

(c)  Requires HHSC to reimburse providers under Medicaid and the
children's health insurance program for vaccines administered under the
vaccines for children program at  a rate that covers the cost of
administering the vaccines under the program.  

SECTION 3.  Requires TDH, not later than October 1, 2005, to report to the
legislature the results of the educating physicians in your community
pilot study operated by the Texas Pediatric Society.  Requires the report
to include certain information.   

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.