Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-44

OTH 44

Provider Choice

Ms. Clark moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 85, by adding a new section, after section 3 of the proposed Chapter 118I:-

"SECTION 3(a). The department shall implement a provider vaccine brand choice program as part of the commonwealth’s universal immunization program pursuant to section 24I of chapter 111; the vaccines for children program operated by the department under the authority of 42 U.S.C. §1396s; and in any other existing or future immunization program for children or adults administered through the state using local, state or federal funds. The vaccine brand choice program shall allow all healthcare providers participating in the state’s immunization programs to select any vaccine licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration, including any combination vaccine and dosage form, that is (A) recommended by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and (B) made available to the Department of Public Health by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Department of Public Health shall implement all or part of the provider choice system as soon as it is determined to be feasible, provided, however, that the department shall complete full implementation of the system not later than July 1, 2013;"

and by adding at the end of section 5 of the proposed Chapter 118I, the following new sentence:-

"The department of health rules and regulations adopted shall not limit or infringe on the healthcare provider’s rights to brand choice as established in Section 3 of this legislation".