TWO THCA BACKED-BILLS REACH GOVERNOR’S DESK
There is good news about THCA’s other legislative priority issues.
First, HB 2205 by Rep. Travis Clardy is on its way to the Governor. That bill will create more fairness in the survey and IDR processes for providers. The bill passed in the Senate late Tuesday night.
Also, SB 1519 by Senator Lois Kolkhorst gained passage. The bill creates a long term care council to look at issues such as consistency in the survey process, reimbursement methodologies including value based payments, the Medicaid bed certification process, and whether rate setting should stay with HHSC.
The Governor will have until June 16 to sign, veto, or allow those bills to become law without his signature.
Unfortunately, an attempt to require a single Internet portal for use by Medicaid managed care providers fell just short of passage. It was amended to another piece of legislation, along with several other amendments, on the House floor. But the Senate author of that bill refused to concur and let the bill die.
As in past legislative sessions, THCA will produce a comprehensive legislative report for membership that will include more extensive detail (both positive and negative) about those bills that effect long term care as well as those bills that would have effected long term care had they passed.
Thanks to the many providers who came to Austin this session for Lobby Days to discuss long term care with their legislators.