Volume XXX, Number 4
 April 2015

State budget on the move in both chambers

After weeks of study and discussion, a budget bill is headed to the House floor.

On Tuesday, March 24, the House Appropriations Committee approved a $209.8 billion budget on a unanimous vote. The bill (HB 1) spends about $7.7 billion more than the 2014-15 budget but leaves about $8.4 billion in available funds on the table, in addition to several billion dollars that have been set aside in the Rainy Day Fund.

Committee chair John Otto (R-Dayton) noted that about half of the $8.4 billion represent funds dedicated to a specific purpose and that the number is just $2 billion below the state’s spending cap.

The budget kept most health care funding flat but that could change when the conference committee on the budget begins in the coming weeks.

The full House was expected to take up the budget this week before they leave for their Easter break.

House leadership also announced this week that they plan to add $800 million to the budget to address school funding lawsuit that will be heard by the Texas Supreme Court late this summer. It had been expected that the Legislature would put off addressing the lawsuit until a special session after the Court ruling and it is still unclear whether Senate leadership will agree to the additional funding.

In the Senate, the Finance Committee moved closer to completing its version of the budget. The Senate budget also keeps health and human services funding near current levels but unlike the House budget does fund Medicaid cost growth.

The Senate also passed $4.6 billion worth of tax cuts this week. Included are an increase in the homestead exemption from school property taxes; a 15% cut for businesses paying the franchise tax; and a complete exemption from the franchise tax for businesses that make less than $4 million a year.

Once the Senate adopts its form of HB 1, the budget process will move to a ten member conference committee composed of five Senate and five House members. These legislators will have the difficult task of finalizing the budget before the Legislature adjourns on June 1.

President’s Report

• Budgets are moving……collective voices must be heard

Legislative Update

• State budget on the move in both chambers

• Compromise on three strikes bill moves out of the Senate

• THCA opposes bill allowing guns in nursing homes

• THCA members lobby legislators for long term care

Commitment to Care

• Commitment to Care update

State News

• THCA analysis of survey activity and deficiencies – 1st Quarter FY 2015

• “All aboard the T.R.A.I.N.” – Strategies to stay on track managing antipsychotic (AP) drug usage webinar slated for May 8th

• Activity Professional award winners being recognized at the THCA Spring Conference

• Distribution of resident days by RUG level

Federal News

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MDS focused dementia care surveys

• AHCA issues guidance on Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) delay

• Emergency preparedness guide for Assisted Living communities

Announcements & Recognitions

• National Nursing Home Week, May 10 – 15, 2015 – “BRING ON THE FIESTA!”

• THCA welcomes our newest facility members

• THCA facility contact information sheet

• THCA Facebook & Twitter pages

THCAPAC

• THCAPAC “500 Club”

• THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

• PAC special for Administrators & AL Managers at THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

Region News

• “A few thoughts from the business community”

• Donate items for our 2015 Spring fundraising silent auction

• Region meetings this month

• THCA contact information sheet

Education

• THCA Spring Conference and Resource Fair April 20-22, 2015 – Omni Barton Creek Conference Center
  Austin, Texas

• Attention Nurses!  2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• Attention Activity Directors! 2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• THCA 65th Annual Convention and Trade Show – “65: Commitment & Devotion” – September 21-24, 2015 – The Gaylord Texas – Grapevine, Texas – SAVE THE DATE

• DADS and DSHS conference: Infection Control in Long-term Care 2015

If you have suggestions for education sessions or questions about THCA education, please contact Sue Wilson at the THCA office swilson@txhca.org.

Calendar

• April 2015

• May 2015