Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

__ HEALTH AND HUMAN
ERVICES/Health Care
UMAN SERVICES
77 th Texas Legislature
Cancer Incidence Reporting - S.B. 285
by Senators Nelson and Moncrief
House Sponsor: Representative Delisi
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans. Increased funding and a better reporting
system could help prevent and control cancer. Texas could be eligible to receive federal funding from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the National Program of Cancer Registries if the state
had a systematic method of reporting cancer cases.
Authorizes the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to access the medical records of a health care facility,
clinical laboratory, or health care practitioner (health entity) that would identify cases of cancer, establish
characteristics of treatment of cancer, or determine the medical status of any identified patient.
Amends the Health and Safety Code to include health care practitioners in the reporting requirements of
the Texas Cancer Incidence Reporting Act.
Removes precancerous and tumorous disease specified by the Texas Board of Health from the reporting
requirements.
Indigent Pharmaceutical Program - S.B. 332
by Senator Moncrief
House Sponsor: Representative Gray
Currently, the Medical Practice Act prohibits physicians from giving patients free medications under an
indigent pharmaceutical program. Removing this prohibition would not infringe on pharmacists' dispensing
authority.
Provides that the Medical Practice Act does not prohibit physicians from giving patients medication supplied
by a pharmaceutical company for an indigent pharmaceutical program.
Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis C - S.B. 338
by Senator Madla, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Eiland
Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop a state plan for prevention and treatment of
hepatitis C, including strategies for prevention and treatment of hepatitis C in specific demographic groups
disproportionately affected by the disease.
Requires TDH to seek input in developing the plan from the public and other entities concerned with
hepatitis C.
Authorizes TDH, in developing a prevention program heightening knowledge and understanding of hepatitis
C, to forecast the economic, clinical, and quality of life impact of hepatitis C. The forecasts may be
developed in conjunction with an academic medical center or a nonprofit institution experienced in disease
management prospective modeling and simulation techniques.
Senate Research Center 122