TEXAS CARES PROGRAM.

(a) The executive commissioner by rule may establish and the department may operate a Texas Cares program to provide persons eligible for discount drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical companies with:

(1) information regarding the availability of those programs; and

(2) in appropriate circumstances, assistance in enrolling in those programs.

(b) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to use in funding the Texas Cares program.

(c) The executive commissioner shall design the Texas Cares program to meet the primary goal of increasing awareness in appropriate populations of the availability of discount drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. To the extent that adequate resources are available, the department shall:

(1) make information regarding discount drug price programs readily available on the department's Internet site;

(2) maintain a toll-free telephone number through which a person may obtain information regarding discount drug price programs; and

(3) make brochures or other written informational materials regarding discount drug price programs available on request by a pharmacist, physician, representative of an organization serving senior citizens, or other interested person.

(d) The department may:

(1) conduct community outreach and education activities to increase awareness of the availability of discount drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical companies;

(2) solicit and train volunteers to perform functions associated with the Texas Cares program, including:

(A) providing assistance to eligible persons in enrolling in discount drug price programs offered by pharmaceutical companies; and

(B) conducting community outreach and education activities; and

(3) coordinate operation of the Texas Cares program with the activities of area agencies on aging.