March 4, 2023

Click here to view TEMSA's bill tracker, which is updated through the end of March 1, 2023. The password for every page: MembershipDues

TEMSA's newsletters will continue to take a deep dive into the issues of note and upcoming committee hearings.

The March 10 Bill Filing Deadline

March 10 marks the bill filing deadline in the Texas Legislature.

A few more bills related to EMS are expected to be filed during the week of March 6.

The Upcoming Committee Hearings

The committees will begin considering bills in this upcoming week. Numerous lawmakers have reached out to TEMSA about the EMS-related bills, and an analysis can be found in this newsletter.

Thanks to two of TEMSA's board members - Michael Furrh of Lavaca County EMS and Butch Oberhoff of Acadian Ambulance - for testifying on the need for EMS Medicaid increases before the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee.

Click here to view their testimony.

Budget Riders: The Vehicle to Address Medicaid Policy

Medicaid payments and policy measures are often addressed through riders, which serve as provisions in the state's budget. March 3, 2023, is the deadline to submit riders.

TEMSA has been working with lawmakers on EMS Medicaid payments. TEMSA will keep you updated regarding the next steps.

Senate Releases Supplemental Budget; Opioid Abatement Trust

The chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Joan Huffman, released the proposed supplemental budget for the 2022-23 biennium, SB 30, on Friday, March 3. The supplemental is separate from the 2024-25 budget that lawmakers are working on - click here to learn more about the base budget for the future biennium.

The supplemental budget includes a proposal to move $26.8 billion to the opioid abatement trust from the opioid lawsuit. The opioid abatement committee meets on a regular basis, and some EMS-related issues may occur in this realm.

On Monday, the House Committee on Public Health will consider HB 624 by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine), which would allow fire fighters to transport patients in non-EMS vehicles:

"Each emergency medical services and trauma care system shall develop the medical treatment and transport protocols necessary to implement this section for the area covered by the system and provide notice of the protocols to the emergency medical services providers and fire fighters in that area."

One member of the committee will ask if this is already allowed under current law.

Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) filed HB 3034, which would require health plans to clearly explain non-emergency ambulance service to insureds (if the plans does not cover the transport).

TEMSA has been talking to Rep. Talarico about the legislation. TEMSA will keep you updated on the next steps.

The proposed language:

Sec. 1210.013.  NOTICE REQUIRED. (a) This section applies only with respect to a health benefit plan that does not provide coverage for nonemergency ambulance services or nonemergency health care services provided by emergency medical services personnel.        

(b)  A health benefit plan issuer or administrator shall provide written notice in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner in an explanation of benefits provided to an enrollee that the enrollee's plan does not cover nonemergency ambulance services or nonemergency health care services provided by emergency medical services personnel.

On Friday, Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD (R-Friendswood) filed HB 3359, which would update the state's PPO network adequacy standards for physicians and hospitals.

The bill's author indicated that the state's current network adequacy standards are not very prescription, and waivers are almost always granted by the Texas Department of Insurance.

While adding EMS agencies to the network adequacy proposal has been discussed by key lawmakers, EMS is not in the initial bill.

This issue will experience movement in the House, and TEMSA will keep on the role of EMS, if any, in this legislative concept.

The Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council, which was created to address the opioid settlement money secured by the Texas attorney general, began meeting.

A number of bills related to opioids, fentanyl and pharmaceutical drugs have been filed so far in the 2023 Texas Legislature. TEMSA will take a deeper dive in the near future.

Click here to view the drug issues. Password: MembershipDues

Rep. Mando Martinez (D-Weslaco) filed HB 3467, which would direct commercial health plans to cover community paramedicine services:

(1)  individuals who obtain emergency medical services by an emergency medical services physician or paramedic practitioner certified under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code; and              

(2)  individuals who obtain services from a qualified health care professional by audio or audiovisual means while the individual is attended by emergency medical services personnel, as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.

Next Steps - Questions

While the legislation's intent is positive, the introduced version raises a number of challenges, including whether it could harm existing EMS agencies and their community paramedicine programs. As a result, TEMSA will continue to dig deeper.

EMS EVOLUTION 2023's preliminary details are ready, and new events are being added to the agenda.

Click here for a conference overview and to secure your hotel room at TEMSA's very special rate.

Registration will begin later this spring.

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

EMERGICON

Wakefield

Bobby Hillert

Texas EMS Alliance

[email protected] | 214.728.7672 m