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Legislative Spring Training - Stepping up to the Plate
April 15, 2009
PHCS has completed our 2009 Legislative Spring Training, and we are actively involved in supporting national and state legislative initiatives that are priority for Emergency Medicine operations.
Ohio
With the assistance of Government Policy Group, district legislators are working on our behalf to facilitate the release of the second installment of the 3% Medicaid provider reimbursement increases. Two Medicaid provider reimbursement increases were approved and passed in the 2008-2009 State Budget Bill. The additional 3% increase was to be allocated the first of each FSY 2008 and 2009.
Due to the 2008 budget crisis, the first increase was not released by ODJFS until 2008, disrupting the annual allocation for 2009. The 2009 ODJFS appropriations will end June 30, 2009. If additional funds are not released to providers by this date, there will not be an additional increase as promised. Rep. Shannon Jones (Warren County) and Rep. Barbara Spears (Lucas County) have been leading the charge to either have the additional 3% released before the expiration or ensure the new state budget language contains these provisions.
Ohio ACEP has kicked off the new legislative session with a limited liability bill for EMTALA related services. On March 25, 2009, Senator Buehrer introduced SB 86 to grant qualified civil immunity to a physician who provides emergency medical services, first-aid treatment, or other emergency professional care in compliance with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) or because of a disaster. This bill would include services rendered by on-call specialties. The bill was introduced with 11 Senate co-sponsors, 6 of whom have been PHCS supporters: Sen. Keith Faber— Delphos, Joint Township, St. Rita’s Med Center, and Wayne and Wilson Hospitals; Sen. John Husted—PHCS and MBI corporate offices; Sen. Tim Schaffer—Berger Hospital; Sen. Robert Schuler—Atrium Medical Center; Sen. Chris Widener—Madison County Hospital.
PHCS will continue to work closely with Ohio ACEP and might ask you to participate by calling your Senator’s office, thanking or asking for their support. Once SB 86 is passed by Committee and then the full Senate, which seems very likely, the bill will go to the House for hearings.
West Virginia
In February 2009, legislation HB 2123 was introduced to honor the assignment of benefits to all physicians. We are working with WV ACEP and other physician and billing groups in Huntington and Charleston to determine the next steps to moving the bill to committee and a possible vote before recess.
For more information about Premier's Political Action Committee, contact:
Beth Cesta, CPC, CHCCAssistant Vice President Government and Payer Relations
e-mail: bcesta@phcsday.com
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