| TO: | Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB479 by Carona (Relating to requiring the Department of State Health Services to implement a provider choice system.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
The bill would repeal Sec 161.0103 of the Health and Safety Code which requires the Department of
State Health Services (DSHS) to operate an equivalent vaccine program for the Vaccines for Children
program as allowed by 42 U.S.C Section 1396s. Sec 161.0103 requires DSHS to buy an equal supply
of equivalent vaccines. This section is repealed on September 1, 2010.
The bill would require DSHS to operate a provider choice system for the Vaccines for Children
program and the adult safety-net program. The program would allow health care providers to select
licensed vaccines that are available from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and (for adult vaccines) that are listed on the program's approved vaccine list. For certain equivalent vaccines, the bill would require the department to distribute the lowest-priced vaccine.
DSHS shall implement the provider choice program no later than August 31, 2010. It is assumed that the cost to implement the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 537 State Health Services, Department of
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, CL, BM, MB
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