By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 865
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to pricing standards used under the Medicaid vendor drug
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.0462 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.0462. VENDOR DRUG PROGRAM; PRICING STANDARD.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, the
department shall:
(1) consider a nationally recognized, unbiased
pricing standard for prescription drugs in determining
reimbursement amounts under the vendor drug program; and
(2) update reimbursement amounts under the vendor drug
program at least weekly.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules implementing this
section. In adopting rules, the commissioner shall ensure that
implementation of this section does not adversely affect the amount
of federal funds available to the state for providing benefits
under the vendor drug program.
SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.