Kansas Hospital Association Legislative Update August 7, 2007

Kansas Hospital Association Post 2007 Legislative Session

Kansas Hospital Association Health Reform S.B. 11 –Study of health care finance reform options –Analysis of health connector program –Premium assistance program –Expanded newborn screening –KSFMO’s informal dispute resolution –Safety net clinic capital loan guarantee –Office of inspector general

Kansas Hospital Association Health Reform (Cont’d) KHPA Gathering Information –Listening Tours –Advisory Councils Provider Purchaser Consumer –Health for All Kansans Consist of Legislators, KHPA members Discussions focusing on: –Lowering the Uninsured –Providing affordable health insurance –Mandated vs. Voluntary approach –Funding

Kansas Hospital Association Premium Assistance Target Population: –Extends private coverage to parents living in poverty 1 st & 2 nd year: Below 50% 3 rd year: Below 75% 4 th year: Below 100% Timeline: –Summer 2007: Stakeholder input –December 2007: Issue RFP to private plans –January 2008: Implementation of phase I Several Questions Still Remain –Provider payment –Claims processing –Provider networks –Benefit plan

Kansas Hospital Association Healthcare Transparency 2007: Pricing Transparency –S.B. 181: Post hospital room charges; top 25 procedures –H.B. 2272: Make available negotiated rates Quality Transparency –H.B. 2271: Disclose quality and performance data –H.B. 2342: Collection/reporting of infection rates 2007 Interim: Meetings w/ Legislators, KHPA, KFMC Discussion w/ KHA Board; Policy groups 2008 Outlook: Legislative interest seems to be growing

Kansas Hospital Association Other Health Care Related Bills Telemedicine –H.B Requires coverage for telemedicine services Study of impact Licensure of Radiologic Technologists –S.B. 284; removal of grandfather provision –Loophole still exist –Requirement of 12 CEUs for unlicensed rad techs Will be required beginning in 2007

Kansas Hospital Association CAH Relevant Federal Legislation

Kansas Hospital Association Relevant Federal Legislation H.R Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act (H-CARE) –CAH outpatient lab –Cost base ambulance services –Alternative to 25 bed limit S.B Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Equity Act (R-HoPE) of 2007 –CAH outpatient lab –Cost based ambulance services –Authorizes HIT grants for rural practitioners –Ensures adequate rural representation on MedPAC H.R Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP) –Extend SCHIP –Limit physician self-referral Grandfather existing facilities Prohibits expansion Annual reports Disclosure requirements –Stop physician Medicare reductions

Kansas Hospital Association Relevant Federal Legislation S. 1595: CAH Flexibility Act of 2007 –25 Bed Cap or Annual Avg of 20 Beds –House version included in H-CARE S. 630/H.R. 2159/H.R. 1563: Rural Health Services Preservation Act –Medicare Advantage Protection S. 628: Critical Access to Health Information Technology Act –Grants provided to improve access in rural areas through HIT

Kansas Hospital Association Relevant Federal Legislation S. 629: CAH Benefits in the 2007 Farm Bill –Section 6006 – Rural Loan Guarantee Program S. 1277: Critical Access to Clinical Lab Services Act –Cost based reimbursement for outpatient lab –Included in both H-CARE & R-HoPE S. 498: Rural Medicare Equity Act –Rural MedPAC representation; Rural health care quality demonstration projects

Kansas Hospital Association What Can You Do? Meet with your Legislator –Invite to hospital –Need help, let KHA know Find the connections –Trustees –Staff –Other community members Attend KHA Advocacy Day next year