2015 legislative summary

Elizabeth HarmonJuly 22, 2015

regulatory legislative acts legislation pending

regulatory actionThe Advocacy Team spent a great deal of time this session on proposed changes to healthcare regulations.

CON (4551)increases equipment and capital thresholdsS.811 JR to disapprove, clock tolled

CON (4551)establishes web-based application processH.3750 JR to disapprove; clock tolled

ASC (4471) defines ‘same day’ as 24-hour period ‘appropriate staff’ provision effective 6/26/15

legislation enacted

legislation enacted State Appropriations

Proviso 33.22 Healthy Outcomes Plan Primary Care Safety Net (encounter level data) Telemedicine (SC Telemedicine Network)

– MUSC– PCC– USC

Rural Health Initiative Partnership Pilot (DHHS/USCSOM) Obesity (funding for provider partnerships, pt. education) Vulnerable Mental Health Patients Pilot

Proviso 33.27 Hospital Transformation Plan Plans submitted prior to April 1, 2016 Caps allocation per partnership at $4M

Proviso 33.30 Healthcare Workforce Analysis Transfers $200K to AHEC

legislation enacted

life, death & vaccinations

Sickle cell disease or trait, educational information to parents of newborns (6/8/15 -Kimpson)

Death certificates, physician signature and electronic filing (1/1/16 - Alexander)

Administration of vaccinations, pharmacists (6/1/15 – Cleary)

legislation enacted

mental health care, medical records & body-worn cameras

Mental health patients, definition of authorized health care provider (6/1/15 - O’Dell)

Release of child’s medical records, cases of suspected child abuse or neglect (6/8/15 - Shealy)

Law enforcement officers, body worn cameras (6/10/15 - Malloy)

legislation still pending

legislation still pendingStatus of our 2 major issues, for further discussion tomorrow:

certificate of needCON reform (White, GM Smith)

Appeals filed with ALC (Campbell) (Pitts)

access to coverage Financial Responsibility & Opportunity Health

Care Program Act (Lourie, Cleary)

Palmetto Comprehensive Care Act (Hutto) (Mack)

legislation still pendingHealth care professionals seeking legislative approval for broadened scopes of practice and autonomy, while others are seeking to be licensed or regulated:

scope of practiceAdvanced Practice Nurses (Horne) (GM Smith)Podiatrists (Ryal)Anesthesiologists (Hayes)

licensure/regulation Music Therapists (Lourie, Leatherman) Sign Language Interpreters (Alexander) (Allison) Birthing Centers (GM Smith, Horne)

legislation still pendingBills introduced in previous sessions that continue to stay on our radar screen:

tort reform False Claims Act (Malloy)

Noneconomic damage limits (Massey)

insurance Insurance coverage, discrimination (Massey)

protection for healthcare professionals Dentists and chiropractors, immunity (Cleary)

Violence against certain healthcare professionals (Alexander) (McCoy)

legislation still pendingLegislation introduced on behalf of constituent experiences & their own *frustration:

Samuel’s Law – grounds for revocation of nurse licensure (Bryant)

Hope’s Law – breast tissue density (Lourie)

Act 76 – sickle cell disease (Kimpson)

DHEC elimination and reorganization (*Peeler)

legislation still pending

life, death & inmates

Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Review Committee (GM Smith) (Hutto)

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (Nanney)

Health Care Decisions (Henderson)

Inmate hospital visitation (Allen)

potential legislative issues 2016

potential legislative issues 2016

tax exempt status for non-profit hospitals

New Jersey Tax Court Ruling property taxes

Local City Ordinances business license taxes

At both the national and statewide level, tax exempt status of non-profit hospitals remains a moving target.