BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 287

By: Nelson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires the Health and Human Services Commission to make efforts to use technology to streamline the Medicaid program and reduce paperwork, including the use of electronic prescriptions.  Though required by law to make efforts to use electronic prescriptions, the commission does not.

S.B. 287  requires the commission to develop and implement a plan to encourage Medicaid providers to use electronic prescribing.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 287 amends the Government Code to add a temporary provision, set to expire September 1, 2014, to require the Health and Human Services Commission to develop and implement a plan designed to encourage the increased use by Medicaid providers of electronic prescribing tools that provide up-to-date provider formulary information at the time a physician or other health care practitioner writes a prescription and that supports the electronic transmission of a prescription.  The bill requires the plan to include a goal of achieving by September 1, 2014, a specified percentage increase in the use of electronic prescribing by Medicaid providers.  The bill requires the commission, not later than January 1, 2010, to submit a report to the legislature describing the plan developed by the commission.  The bill requires the commission, not later than January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2013, to submit a report to the legislature regarding the implementation and results of the plan.  The bill requires a state agency that is affected by a provision of the bill to request a federal waiver or authorization if the agency determines that a waiver or authorization is necessary for the implementation of the provision, and it authorizes the agency to delay implementation until the federal waiver or authorization is obtained.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.