NHHA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

APRIL 19, 2007

MID-SESSION LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS


MEDICAID PROVIDER-BASED PAYMENT

Both the House and Senate voted last week in support of our bills to prevent HHS Commissioner John Stephen from abolishing Medicaid provider-based payment for physician and other outpatient services. The two bills are moving through the legislative process, with HB 43 to be heard in the Senate shortly.

This week NHHA met with Senate President Sylvia Larsen, House Finance Committee Chair Marjorie Smith, Senate and House Legal Counsel and others on the Commissioner's plans to undo Medicaid provider-based physician payment. We got a very positive reception. The Legislative Fiscal Committee is expected to rule today on the Commissioner’s request for approval to go forward with his plan.


MEDICAID – STATE BUDGET

The House passed House Bill 1, the state budget with full funding of Medicaid IME and DGME payments at $4.4 million per year. This action affirms the House of Representatives’ commitment to support this portion of the safety net.

The House also approved the full funding level for hospital services proposed by the Governor. This is a first in a number of years with no cuts to hospital inpatient and outpatient services.

The Senate Finance Committee has begun its work on the State budget this week. We’ll be working to preserve what’s been gained in the House.


HEALTH INSURANCE

NHHA’s Medical Necessity bill, HB 228, supported by the House, is on its way to passage in the Senate. This week the Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously in support. HB 228 standardizes the insurance statute’s medical necessity definition so that all health plans must adhere to a uniform standard.

Our credentialing bill, HB 636, passed by the House, will require health plans to (1) complete review of physician credentialing applications within 30 days (for primary care) and 45 days (for specialists); and (2) pay physicians for on-call coverage under limited circumstances. The bill will next be heard next in the Senate Commerce Committee.


CERTIFICATE OF NEED

Hospitals prevailed over efforts to exempt ambulatory surgery centers from CON regulatory oversight. NHHA and our members convinced members of the Senate HHS Committee that this bill undermines the Legislature’s repeated affirmation of the state’s interest in setting standards relative to the size, type, level, quality and affordability of health services offered.

The Senate retained SB 114 with no further action on the bill until January 2008 at which time, alternative CON reform provisions may be offered.

The Legislature gutted a bill that initially proposed to require hospitals to assure in CON applications that health insurance will be provided to construction workers by the project’s contractor. Instead, HB 727 removed any reference to CON and creates a commission to study the issue of health coverage offered by building contractors working for all types of non-profit organizations as well as municipalities. NHHA is named to sit on the committee.
 

Go to http://www.nhha.org/nhha/state_law/bills.php to view the list of bills NHHA is tracking.

Click Here for the NH House and Senate Web Site