78R3948 KKA-D
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) base reimbursement amounts under the vendor drug
program on a nationally recognized, unbiased pricing standard for
prescription drugs; and
(2) update reimbursement amounts under the vendor drug
program based on that standard 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.