Sec. 12.0125. DRUG REBATES. (a) The department shall develop a voluntary drug manufacturer rebate program for drugs purchased by or on behalf of a client of the Kidney Health Care Program or the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program for which rebates are not available under the Medicaid drug manufacturer rebate program.

(b) The department shall consult with drug manufacturers to develop rebate amounts for the new voluntary rebate program. The average percentage savings from rebates in the new program may not be less than the average percentage savings from rebates in the Medicaid drug manufacturer rebate program.

(c) Amounts received by the department under the drug rebate program established under this section may be appropriated only for the Kidney Health Care Program or the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 669, Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0018, eff. April 2, 2015.

Sec. 12.0127. IMMIGRATION VISA WAIVERS FOR PHYSICIANS. (a) The department, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. Section 1182(e), as amended, under exceptions provided by 8 U.S.C. Section 1184(l), as amended, may request waiver of the foreign country residence requirement for a qualified alien physician who agrees to practice medicine in a medically underserved area or health professional shortage area, as designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, that has a current shortage of physicians.

(b) The department may charge a fee to cover the costs incurred by the department in administering the visa waiver program established under this section.

(c) To the extent allowed by federal law, the department shall provide an equal opportunity to request a waiver of the foreign country residence requirement for an individual described by Subsection (a) who agrees to practice medicine in:

(1) an area that the department determines is affected by an ongoing exposure to a disease that is designated as reportable under Section 81.048;

(2) a medically underserved area; or

(3) a health professional shortage area.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 143, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1278 (S.B. 1574), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.