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Legislative Update

August 7, 2007

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Post 2007 Legislative Session

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Health Reform

• S.B. 11 – Study of health care finance reform options– Analysis of health connector program – Premium assistance program – Expanded newborn screening – KSFMO’s informal dispute resolution– Safety net clinic capital loan guarantee– Office of inspector general

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Health Reform (Cont’d)

• KHPA Gathering Information– Listening Tours– Advisory Councils

• Provider• Purchaser• Consumer

– Health for All Kansans• Consist of Legislators, KHPA members

• Discussions focusing on:– Lowering the Uninsured– Providing affordable health insurance– Mandated vs. Voluntary approach– Funding

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Premium Assistance

• Target Population:– Extends private coverage to parents living in poverty

• 1st & 2nd year: Below 50%• 3rd year: Below 75%• 4th year: Below 100%

• Timeline:– Summer 2007: Stakeholder input– December 2007: Issue RFP to private plans– January 2008: Implementation of phase I

• Several Questions Still Remain– Provider payment– Claims processing– Provider networks– Benefit plan

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Healthcare Transparency

2007:• Pricing Transparency

– S.B. 181: Post hospital room charges; top 25 procedures– H.B. 2272: Make available negotiated rates

• Quality Transparency– H.B. 2271: Disclose quality and performance data– H.B. 2342: Collection/reporting of infection rates

2007 Interim:• Meetings w/ Legislators, KHPA, KFMC• Discussion w/ KHA Board; Policy groups

2008 Outlook:• Legislative interest seems to be growing

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Other Health Care Related Bills

• Telemedicine– H.B. 2065

• Requires coverage for telemedicine services• Study of impact

• Licensure of Radiologic Technologists – S.B. 284; removal of grandfather provision– Loophole still exist– Requirement of 12 CEUs for unlicensed rad

techs• Will be required beginning in 2007

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CAH Relevant Federal Legislation

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Relevant Federal Legislation• H.R. 2860 - Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act (H-CARE)

– CAH outpatient lab– Cost base ambulance services– Alternative to 25 bed limit

• S.B. 1605 - Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Equity Act (R-HoPE) of 2007 – CAH outpatient lab– Cost based ambulance services– Authorizes HIT grants for rural practitioners– Ensures adequate rural representation on MedPAC

• H.R. 3162 - Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP)– Extend SCHIP– Limit physician self-referral

• Grandfather existing facilities• Prohibits expansion• Annual reports• Disclosure requirements

– Stop physician Medicare reductions

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Relevant Federal Legislation

• S. 1595: CAH Flexibility Act of 2007– 25 Bed Cap or Annual Avg of 20 Beds– House version included in H-CARE

• S. 630/H.R. 2159/H.R. 1563: Rural Health Services Preservation Act – Medicare Advantage Protection

• S. 628: Critical Access to Health Information Technology Act– Grants provided to improve access in rural areas

through HIT

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Relevant Federal Legislation

• S. 629: CAH Benefits in the 2007 Farm Bill– Section 6006 – Rural Loan Guarantee Program

• S. 1277: Critical Access to Clinical Lab Services Act– Cost based reimbursement for outpatient lab– Included in both H-CARE & R-HoPE

• S. 498: Rural Medicare Equity Act– Rural MedPAC representation; Rural health care

quality demonstration projects

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What Can You Do?

• Meet with your Legislator– Invite to hospital– Need help, let KHA know

• Find the connections– Trustees– Staff– Other community members

• Attend KHA Advocacy Day next year