H.B. No. 1464 proposes the establishment of a prescription drug purchasing pool under a new Chapter 446 in the Health and Safety Code. This pool will allow health benefit plan issuers, qualified public employers, and qualified private employers to purchase prescription drugs at discounted rates negotiated by the Health and Human Services Commission. The bill defines key terms such as "health benefit plan issuer," "qualified public employer," and "qualified private employer," and outlines the responsibilities of participants in the pool, emphasizing that it does not constitute a risk pool. Each participant remains responsible for the costs associated with claims or prescription drugs as per their health benefit coverage agreements.

Additionally, the bill mandates the executive commissioner to create rules for administering the purchasing pool, including eligibility criteria, enrollment procedures, and options for stop-loss coverage. It allows for joint purchasing agreements among multiple participants without classifying them as a multiple employer welfare arrangement. The Health and Human Services Commission is required to establish the purchasing pool as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()