By: West S.B. No. 1564
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use
  disorder under Medicaid.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a)  In this section, "qualifying practitioner"
  has the meaning assigned by 21 U.S.C. Section 823(g)(2)(G)(iii).
         (b)  Not later than November 1, 2019, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall amend the commission's Medicaid
  Substance Use Disorder Services Medical Policy and any other
  provider or claims payment policy or manual necessary to authorize
  Medicaid medical benefits reimbursement for the prescribing of
  buprenorphine for the treatment of an opioid use disorder by an
  advanced practice registered nurse recognized by the Texas Board of
  Nursing as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse
  midwife, provided that the advanced practice registered nurse:
               (1)  is a qualifying practitioner; and
               (2)  has obtained a waiver from registration
  requirements as provided by 21 U.S.C. Section 823(g).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.