HBA-TBM S.B. 893 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 893
By: Moncrief
Public Health
5/4/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The cost of prescription drugs has risen 48 percent in the past eight
years.  Many people who purchase drugs must do so at cash prices, as they
do not have prescription drug coverage.  Some pharmacies or other private
companies offer "buyers clubs" or drug purchasing cooperatives that offer
discount programs to their customers.  Allowing consumers to evaluate the
drug purchasing cooperatives and then compiling and distributing the
evaluations may help Texas to make an informed choice when purchasing
prescription drugs.  Senate Bill 893 requires the Health Care Information
Council to provide a form to consumers for evaluating drug purchasing
cooperatives and to compile and publish the data submitted by the
consumers.  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 893 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas
Health Care Information Council (council) to develop criteria for
evaluating drug purchasing cooperatives and to create a form for consumers
to evaluate the cooperatives.  The bill requires the council to distribute
the evaluation forms to the Texas Department of Health, local health
departments, the Texas Department of Insurance, and the consumer protection
division of the office of the attorney general.  The bill requires the
council to make the information compiled from the completed evaluations
available to the public.       

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.