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Volume XXX, Number 8
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THCA to Recognize Legislative ChampionsThe Texas Health Care Association (THCA) will recognize four members of the Texas Legislature for their support of long term care during the recent legislative session. Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), Representative Richard Raymond (D-Laredo), Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) and Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo) were named “Legislative Champions” by the THCA Board at its July 8 meeting in Austin. Kolkhorst, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, authored and passed Senate Bill 914. That legislation establishes a council to examine the survey and Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process in facilities and recommend ways to make them more efficient and consistent. She also carried legislation to require managed care organizations continue to work with any facility that is certified to accept Medicaid patients. That bill, Senate Bill 1602, did not pass. Raymond chairs the House Human Services Committee. Since taking over as chair, he has ensured that providers have a place at the table whenever bills affecting long term care came before his committee. Included among those bills was the Sunset bill for the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), SB 304, which Raymond carried in the House. He also included provisions in his House Bill 3523 to keep HHSC setting reimbursement rates under managed care until Sept. 1, 2021, which is a two-year extension. The bill also extended other protections until 2021, including requiring payments to facilities are made by the 10th day after submission of a clean claim. Estes worked actively with THCA in his first session as a member of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. He was the Senate sponsor of House Bill 1403, which helps clarify the definition of a health care liability claim. Price chaired the subcommittee that looked at Health and Human Services funding for the House’s initial budget. He solicited input from THCA in his role as chair and showed a strong grasp of the needs of long term care in Texas. He also carried the Sunset bill for HHSC, which began a process of moving regulation of long term care facilities from DADS to HHSC. |
President’s Report___________________________ Legislative Update
___________________________ Commitment to CareIf you have any questions about the THCA C to C Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact me at gbwilliams@txhca.org or call (512) 458-1257.___________________________ State News___________________________ National News___________________________ Announcements & RecognitionsTHCA’s 65th Annual Attendee registration open, register now for early bird pricing
Official Convention Sponsor _________________ AHCA/NCAL 66th Annual Our Great State of Texas is the host state for the AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention & Expo, October 4-7, 2015! Experience the National Conference right here in our home state!
Register now and take advantage of the Advance Registration Savings. ________________
___________________________ THCAPACTHCAPAC Proudly Announces our 2015 Official THCAPAC at Convention Sponsor
?’s About THCAPAC…Here’s How To Contact UsRon Payne, THCAPAC Co-Chair
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