By: Miller, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Averitt) H.B. No. 1090
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2003;
May 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 23, 2003, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 23, 2003, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Texas Department on Aging to
establish a prescription drug information and assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 101, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 101.034 to read as follows:
Sec. 101.034. TEXAS CARES PROGRAM. (a) The department by
rule may establish and operate a Texas Cares program to provide
persons eligible for discount drug price programs offered by
pharmaceutical companies with:
(1) information regarding the availability of those
programs; and
(2) in appropriate circumstances, assistance in
enrolling in those programs.
(b) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any source to use in funding the Texas Cares program.
(c) The department shall design the Texas Cares program to
meet the primary goal of increasing awareness in appropriate
populations of the availability of discount drug price programs
offered by pharmaceutical companies. To the extent that adequate
resources are available, the department shall:
(1) make information regarding discount drug price
programs readily available on the department's Internet site;
(2) maintain a toll-free telephone number through
which a person may obtain information regarding discount drug price
programs; and
(3) make brochures or other written informational
materials regarding discount drug price programs available on
request by a pharmacist, physician, representative of an
organization serving senior citizens, or other interested person.
(d) The department may:
(1) conduct community outreach and education
activities to increase awareness of the availability of discount
drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical companies;
(2) solicit and train volunteers to perform functions
associated with the Texas Cares program, including:
(A) providing assistance to eligible persons in
enrolling in discount drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical
companies; and
(B) conducting community outreach and education
activities; and
(3) coordinate operation of the Texas Cares program
with the activities of area agencies on aging.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
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