78R7441 CLG-D

By:  Guillen                                                      H.B. No. 2695



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prescription drug coverage under the state Medicaid 
program.    
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 531.0214(d), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(d)  The commission shall develop the database system in a 
manner that will enable a complete analysis of the use of 
prescription medications, including information relating to:
		(1)  Medicaid clients for whom more than six [three] 
medications have been prescribed; and
		(2)  the medical effect denial of Medicaid coverage for 
more than six [three] medications has had on Medicaid clients.
	SECTION 2.  Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (z) to read as follows:
	(z)  In its rules and standards governing the vendor drug 
program, the department may not limit to less than six the number of 
medications prescribed each month to a recipient of prescription 
drug benefits under the medical assistance program.
	SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act 
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a 
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, 
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or 
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the 
waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies to a person receiving medical assistance on or after that 
date regardless of the date on which the person began receiving that 
medical assistance.