Avik Roy, a writer for Forbes, recently interviewed Governor Rick Perry about Obamacare. An excerpt: ROY: One thing that you did, and you looked into with the Texas legislature a few years back, was withdrawing from Medicaid all together. And you decided not to, because the amount of federal money that was being plowed into the state, getting rid of that and then trying to make up with that by raising taxes at the state level was just too great. GOV. PERRY: Right. ROY: Do you worry that … [Read more...] about Gov. Rick Perry Interview on Obamacare
TX Register Update: 12/18 Rate Hearing
The following information was obtained from the December 7 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for updates to Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates for Psychiatric Services. The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room. See the Texas Register for more information. … [Read more...] about TX Register Update: 12/18 Rate Hearing
Texas Dems and Medicaid Expansion
Democrats in Texas are hopeful that the state will expand Medicaid to cover millions, although Governor Rick Perry said Texas won't broaden the federal program. Rather than striking down Obamacare, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law constitutional but gave states the option of expanding Medicaid to carry it out. From the Texas Tribune: Despite Gov. Rick Perry's firm opposition to a key tenet of federal health reform — expanding the state’s Medicaid program for those with low incomes — Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Dems and Medicaid Expansion
ILs/PL: Protecting Sensitive Personal Information
AFC, AL/RC, CBA, CLASS, DBMD, HCS, Hospice, PHC, TxHmL, and others: DADS reminded these providers and agencies of their responsibilities and requirements relating to protecting sensitive personal information received from DADS and notifying DADS of a breach of sensitive personal information. (Letter) CBA HCSSA, CLASS, DSA, NFs, and others: DADS notified these providers about the training schedule for the 2012 cost report (Letter): Online training will be available to qualified … [Read more...] about ILs/PL: Protecting Sensitive Personal Information
TX Register Updates: Vision Care, Compliance History
The following information was obtained from the November 30 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance to add fees for new services and modify fees for existing services: Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women Dental Services Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Services Hearing Aids and Audiometric … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Vision Care, Compliance History
Medicaid Expansion in the News
The Associated Press published a story on Governor Rick Perry's stance against implementing the new health care reform law. An excerpt: Texas has about 6 million uninsured residents, which comes out to nearly a quarter of its population — higher than any other state. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that's too many, but they disagree on how to get that number down. In a July letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Perry said he opposed the Affordable Care Act … [Read more...] about Medicaid Expansion in the News
DADS News Alerts: 1/7/13 CLASS Meeting
-- DADS invited stakeholders to a CLASS meeting for Monday, January 7, 2013, and asked potential attendees to e-mail suggested topics for the agenda to CLASS@dads.state.tx.us by Wednesday, December 5, 2012. -- DADS provided an information sheet (PDF) to assist NFs as they plan and prepare for celebrating the upcoming holidays. For more information, please e-mail DADSCultureChange@dads.state.tx.us. See the news page for more information about these and other alerts. … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: 1/7/13 CLASS Meeting
IL & PL: HCSSA Training
HCSSAs: Reminder: DADS provided joint training with its staff and HCSSAs this month. (Letter) Medicaid Hospice: HHSC approved rate changes for FY 13 based on CMS information. See HHSC Rate Analysis for details. (Letter) … [Read more...] about IL & PL: HCSSA Training
House Bill, NF Network Training
HB 159: Relating to the applicability of adverse licensing, listing, or registration decisions by certain health and human services agencies. -- DADS invites nursing facility providers to join the Healthcare-Acquired Conditions in Nursing Homes Network. Follow this link for more information. -- DADS invites providers to participate in the new HCSSA joint training program to be held on November 27, 28, 29, and 30, in Tyler. the and 28th and then again in Tyler on November 29th and 30th. … [Read more...] about House Bill, NF Network Training
Obama Admin Extends State Insurance Exchange Deadline
The reelection of President Barack Obama means the health care reform law will be implemented. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states would have the option to expand Medicaid, the administration likely expects most states to comply. Texas is one of several states whose governors say they will not expand Medicaid or set up a state insurance exchange. Perhaps this is part of the reason the administration has twice extended the deadline for states to set up insurance exchanges. An … [Read more...] about Obama Admin Extends State Insurance Exchange Deadline
