The following information was obtained from the December 7 edition of the Texas Register: The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will hold a public meeting on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Texas on December 12, 2007, at the Texas State Capitol Building, Room E1.012 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The goal of the meeting is for the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders to hear from major stakeholder groups. For more information about the meeting, see the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Open Meetings
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Medicare Budget News
Federal lawmakers are in budget negotiations this week. (Kaiser Network) One program under discussion is Medicare. The House of Representatives version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill includes $50 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage plans. Max Baucus, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wants to reduce cuts to $20 billion. Lawmakers will continue debating the budget bill today. Additionally, a 2004 moratorium on the building of new physician-owned specialty hospitals … [Read more...] about Medicare Budget News
Politicians Still Sparring Over SCHIP
In October, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Concerned that reauthorization would add $35 billion over five years to the program and that it would expand coverage to adults, illegal aliens, and middle-income families who may be able to afford private insurance, Republicans have been trying to come up with a compromise bill. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given negotiators until the end of this … [Read more...] about Politicians Still Sparring Over SCHIP
Texas Register Updates: Minimum PNA Raised
The following information was obtained from the November 23 edition of the Texas Register: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an amendment to Subchapter A, Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code, to clarify that HHSC sets the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) in accordance with Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code. House Bill 52 raised the minimum PNA to $60 a month. For more information about what the amendment will change, see the relevant section of the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Minimum PNA Raised
Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
Proposed Rules On behalf of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed amendments to §10.311, concerning qualifications and training requirements for contractor employees; §10.315, concerning criminal background checks; and §10.321, concerning roles and responsibilities of case managers, in Chapter 10, Guardianship Services. The amendment would update contractor employee qualifications with regard to … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Contract Employee Qualifications, Licensure Issues, Etc.
SCHIP Compromise?
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to reach a compromise on expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). (Kaiser Network) Two weeks ago, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have added $35 billion to SCHIP over a five-year period. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a modified SCHIP bill, but the vote was not veto-proof. If the two sides of the aisle can reach a compromise, the bill may have a chance of becoming law. However, … [Read more...] about SCHIP Compromise?
More SCHIP Votes
According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Mike Leavitt, President George W. Bush, who vetoed a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), would accept a bill that increases SCHIP funding by only $20 billion over five years, as opposed to $35 billion over five years. (Kaiser Network) Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a modified SCHIP bill, but the measure still would increase spending by $35 billion over five … [Read more...] about More SCHIP Votes
Michigan Ends Home Exemption for Nursing Home Patients
Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm is set to sign a bill that will require the state to recoup the cost of Medicaid services from the estates of deceased recipients who lived in nursing homes or received in-home care, as required by federal law. (Source) Under the old law, the estates of such recipients were exempt from recoupment. Lawmakers threatened to cut off funding if the state didn’t comply with the law. According to The Detroit News, Community Health Department Director Janet … [Read more...] about Michigan Ends Home Exemption for Nursing Home Patients
Texas Register Updates: Proposed Rules and Public Notices
Proposed Rules The Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHSC) proposed a new rule that would amend the Coordinated Planning And Delivery Of Health And Human Services section of the code to define regional and local health programs and provide for the competitive award of grants to support the initial establishment and operation of regional or local health care programs. See the relevant section of the September 21 issue of the Texas Register. HHSC also proposes to amend the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Proposed Rules and Public Notices
New Law Revises Medicare ‘Behavioral Offset’ Provision
President George W. Bush signed into law a measure that prevents the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing a behavioral offset provision that would have reduced Medicare inpatient hospital reimbursements by $20.3 billion over five years. (Kaiser Network) When the House of Representatives passed the measure in July, Congressman Jerry Weller said CMS sought to preemptively punish hospitals "before they’ve done anything wrong." CMS attempted to reduce … [Read more...] about New Law Revises Medicare ‘Behavioral Offset’ Provision
