2003S0666-1 03/14/03


By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 1824


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the vendor drug program.                                          
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter C to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER C.  PRACTITIONER-MANAGED PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
	Sec. 32.101.  PLAN ADOPTION.  (a)  The Health and Human 
Services Commission shall adopt a practitioner-managed 
prescription drug plan as part of the vendor drug program.  The 
purpose of the plan is to ensure that eligible recipients receive 
the most effective prescription drug available at the best price.
	(b)  Before adopting the practitioner-managed prescription 
drug plan, the Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct 
public meetings and consult with representatives of the regulatory 
boards and associations representing practitioners who participate 
in the vendor drug program.
	(c)  The practitioner-managed prescription drug plan adopted 
under this section shall allow:
		(1)  a practitioner to prescribe any drug that the 
practitioner believes to be the most effective treatment for a 
recipient enrollee;
		(2)  a practitioner to determine the scope and duration 
of treatment of chronic conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, 
and asthma; and
		(3)  an eligible recipient to appeal to the Health and 
Human Services Commission a decision of a practitioner or the 
commission not to provide a prescription drug requested by the 
recipient.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.