Texas

The Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth announced a leadership change at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Imelda Garcia, MPH, the current chief deputy commissioner at DSHS, will become the interim commissioner. Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, who has led DSHS since September 2022, was recruited by the Trump Administration to serve as the new Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy provided a summary of adopted and proposed rules from the May 5 board meeting. 

Also in Texas, the House Public Health Committee convened a hearing on June 4 to address several interim charges. Topics included the implementation and rulemaking of legislation passed in 2025 related to rural health care (HB 18) and health and nutrition standards (HB 25). Members received updates on the progress of the Rural Health Transformation Program. The committee also heard testimony regarding telehealth, with a focus on evaluating virtual care models and their effects on access, cost, quality and patient outcomes. Finally, the committee was briefed on Texas's current and projected healthcare workforce shortages. 

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) add all recommended adult vaccines to the Medicaid formulary as a payable pharmacy benefit beginning June 1. While adult vaccines were previously only covered under the Medicaid medical benefit, this rollout allows Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for both the vaccine ingredient and administration costs for adults ages 19 years and older. To administer vaccines through the pharmacy benefit, a pharmacy must have an executed a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) with a licensed provider serving as a standing order. If there is no CPA, the pharmacy must obtain a patient-specific prescription from the treating clinician before administering the vaccine. 

Also in Texas, the revised VDP Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual, including information about benefits, policies and procedures for outpatient pharmacy claims and rebates, is now available. 

Also in Texas, the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative released its revised business plan that was submitted to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on June 1. 

Finally in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Jay Bueche to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI) Governing Board for a term set to expire on February 1, 2031. The Board is tasked with developing a business plan to provide cost effective drugs and other medical supplies for the public employee sector. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.