Volume XXX, Number 8
 August 2015

THCA to Recognize Legislative Champions

The 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

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 Legislative Update

  • THCA to Recognize Legislative Champions

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 Commitment to Care

If 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.

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State News

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National News

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Announcements & Recognitions

THCA’s 65th Annual
Convention and Trade Show

Attendee registration open, register now for early bird pricing

THCA 65-01

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Official Convention Sponsor

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AHCA/NCAL 66th Annual
Convention & Expo
October 4-7, 2015
San Antonio, Texas
www.AHCAconvention.org

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!

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Register now and take advantage of the Advance Registration Savings.

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THCAPAC

THCAPAC Proudly Announces our 2015 Official THCAPAC at Convention Sponsor

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?’s About THCAPAC…Here’s How To Contact Us
Ron Payne, THCAPAC Co-Chair
rpayne@swltc.com
Mark McKenzie, THCAPAC Co-Chair
mmckenzie@seniorcarecentersltc.com
Gina Muniz, THCAPAC Liaison
gmuniz@txhca.org

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Region News

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Education

THCA’s 65th Annual Convention and Trade Show

Attendee registration open, register now for early bird pricing

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Calendar

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twitter  Follow the THCA Twitter page