By:  Delisi                                                       H.B. No. 989



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of medications and medical supplies under 
the medical assistance program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, is amended by 
adding Section 32.054 to read as follows:
	Sec. 32.054.  MEDICATIONS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES.  The 
department shall adopt rules establishing procedures for:
		(1)  the bulk purchasing of medically necessary, 
over-the-counter medications and medical supplies that were 
previously being provided via prescription; and
		(2)  the distribution of these over-the-counter 
medications and medical supplies to providers based upon historic 
Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program utilization rates 
of the over-the-counter products purchased under this section.
	SECTION 2.  WAIVER.  If before implementing Section 1 of this 
Act, the Health and Human Services Commission determines that a 
waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for 
implementation, the commission shall request the waiver or 
authorization and may delay implementing this Act until the waiver 
or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect 
immediately.