81R11645 JSC-D
By: Farias, Guillen H.B. No. 4393
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a pilot program to provide electronic
prescribing tools to rural physicians.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M-1. ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING TOOLS PILOT PROGRAM
Sec. 531.471. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "physician"
and "rural" have the definitions assigned by Section 487.601.
Sec. 531.472. PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall
develop a pilot program to provide electronic prescribing tools at
no cost to physicians in rural areas to increase clinical quality,
reduce unnecessary costs, and streamline workflows.
(b) The pilot program shall provide services to not more
than 50 physicians in rural areas practicing in not more than five
counties in this state.
(c) The pilot program shall provide the participating
physicians with:
(1) software that:
(A) connects physicians to a medication
database;
(B) tracks patient prescription histories;
(C) provides drug interaction data and
information on dosages; and
(D) notifies the physician in real time of the
formulary status of a drug;
(2) a high-speed Internet connection;
(3) electronic equipment, if necessary; and
(4) training on the use of the software, Internet
tools, and equipment in the pilot program.
(d) The commission may contract with an outside company for
the creation of software or for use of existing software.
(e) The commission shall select physicians for
participation in the program based on a physician's current access
to technology that assists in prescribing.
Sec. 531.473. REPORT. (a) The commission shall submit a
report on the implementation of the pilot program under this
subchapter to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, and legislature not later than January 1,
2010.
(b) The report must include an assessment of any benefits of
the pilot program and any recommendations for future legislation.
Sec. 531.474. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
September 1, 2011.
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.