BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deuell
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Distribution of the influenza vaccine can be difficult for physicians to obtain during the years in which a shortage occurs. Often, physicians receive their vaccines long after retail establishments have distributed them to their customers. Physician need these vaccines, because they can evaluate the health of their patients and are better able to ensure that at-risk groups, such as the elderly, get their vaccines first during a year when a shortage occurs.
SB 164 will require the Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on prioritizing physicians in the distribution of the influenza vaccine.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the committee that the bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
S.B. 164 requires the executive commissioner of Health and Human Services Commission to study the wholesale distribution of influenza vaccine in this state to determine the feasibility of implementing a system that requires giving a priority in filling orders for influenza vaccine to physicians and other licensed health care providers authorized to administer influenza vaccine over retail establishments, and it authorizes the executive commissioner to implement such a system, if the executive commissioner determines that it is feasible.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.