HB 87: Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in certain counties under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
SCR 2: Authorizing a proposed interim agreement between the parties of a lawsuit regarding individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions residing in or at risk of being admitted to nursing facilities.
— Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has unveiled a new webpage with information and resources for long-term and post-acute (LTPAC) providers.” – McKnight’s
— ” The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has posted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making that puts forward changes designed to strengthen and clarify how Long-Term Care Ombudsmen (LTCO) in all fifty states, Guam, and Puerto Rico implement their programs.” – HHS
— “Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a series of bills into law last week modifying some of the state’s Medicaid statutes and programs. The laws will take effect on September 1, 2013…While the legislation was purportedly aimed at enhancing the state’s ability to detect and prevent Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse, in fact many of the statutory provisions were added to comply with federal mandates necessary to secure ongoing federal funding for the Texas Medicaid program to ensure continued eligibility for incentive recoveries under its civil false claims act.” – National Law Review
— “‘The lack of transparency there makes it very difficult for an independent pharmacist to find out what they’re going to be reimbursed,’ said state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, a surgeon and fourth-generation pharmacist….With his help, the Texas Pharmacy Business Council and other pharmacy associations negotiated a deal this session to enhance transparency on how Medicaid health plans determine pharmaceutical reimbursements.” – Texas Tribune
— New GAO report (PDF) on setting up federally faciliated insurance exchanges – Kaiser Health News
