Under the Gold Dome This Week
Certificate of Need Reform Bills Introduced
On Thursday, certificate of need (CON) reform measures were introduced. Bills that would exempt “integrated surgery centers” from the state’s CON requirements were introduced by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) and Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) –
HB 89
and
SB 61
.
Bills that would replace the existing CON requirements (except for long-term care facilities) were introduced with a licensing program and that would increase transparency and bigger tax credits for rural hospitals –
HB 198
by Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin) and
SB 74
by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan). The House bills were referred to the House Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care, while the Senate bills were referred to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
Out of Network Billing
Out of Network Billing legislation was introduced by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) and assigned to Senate Insurance. This bill is nearly identical to last years OON legislation. Legislation within the bill will result in greater transparency for elective procedures, establish a patient/physician arbitration process for “unexpected events” that take place during elective medical procedures, and establish a standard physician payment model for out-of-network emergency care.
Step Therapy
Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) introduced
HB 63
– legislation to reform the insurance practice known as step therapy, which forces patients to try and fail on medications other than what their health care provider prescribes – and in some cases, happens even when patients have already tried the insurer-preferred medications or when those medications could cause their health to deteriorate.
House Bill 63 only limits step therapy and fail first protocols in certain critical situations, while still allowing insurers to use step therapy when it is appropriate for a patient’s health. The legislation also creates a basic framework for when it is medically appropriate to exempt patients from step therapy protocols and establishes a transparent process for health care providers to request exceptions.
Currently, the bill sits in House Insurance and is expecting a hearing next week. Kaiser Permanente is seeking changes to the bill but Rep. Cooper has indicated she will not accept the changes.
Amended 2019 Fiscal Year Budget
The House passed the Amended 2019 Budget, HB 30, on Friday, the "little budget" now heads to the Senate for action. The House will now turn its focus to the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget, the nearly $40 billion budget will take some time to move through the process.
Current budget documents:
Office of Planning & Budget
HOUSE
SENATE
Behavioral Health Funding - There was no change to the $8,400,000 APEX funding.
There is a reduction of funds Under Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services of $640,526 " recognize one time savings due to delayed implementation dates."
Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability
HB 178
sponsored by Rep. Don Hogan was assigned to the House Committee on Health and Human Services. This bill creates a unit within the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide for assisted outpatient treatment programs and an advisory council.
State Health Benefit Plan Bariatric Surgery Pilot Renewal & Expansion
HB 187
sponsored by Rep. Katie Dempsey renews and expands the pilot for a bariatric surgery benefit to a four year pilot allowing for 250 plan participants per year. The bill was assigned to House Health & Service Committee on Friday.
DXM & Minors
HB 112
, sponsored by Rep. John LaHood, requires identification by minors for drug products containing dextromethorphan was assigned to the House Juvenile Justice Committee.
Interstate Licensure Compacts
SB 16
- Physician Interstate Compact passed the Senate Health Committee
HB 39
- Physical Therapy Interstate Compact - no action
HB 26
- Psychology Interstate Compact passed the House Interstate Cooperation
For our complete legislative tracking sheet
click here
.
