GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1044

Short Title:  Vaccine Program/Savings.	(Public)

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Senators Speed, Martin of Pitt, Albertson, and Cooper.

─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Children and Human Resources

─────────────────────────────────────── 

May 4, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO SAVE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA THE COST OF VACCINES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES WHERE INSURANCE COVERAGE IS PROVIDED.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 130A-433 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A-433.  Contracts for purchase of vaccines; distribution; fee; rules.
(a)	Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Secretary may enter into contracts with the manufacturers and suppliers of covered vaccines and with other public entities either within or without the State for the purchase of covered vaccines and may provide for the distribution of the covered vaccines to health care providers.  Local health departments shall distribute the covered vaccines at the request of the Department.  The Secretary shall adopt rules to implement this Article except for subsection (b) of this section.
(b)	A health care provider who receives vaccine from the State may charge no more than a reasonable fee established by the Commission for Health Services for the administration of the vaccine and may not provide this vaccine to patients who have health insurance coverage for the full cost of these immunizations.  As used in this subsection, the term 'health insurance coverage' does not apply to or include Medicaid coverage.  Vaccines provided by the State to local health departments for administration shall be administered at no cost to the patient."
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.