Rotunda Archive

May 4, 2009

The Nebraska Hospital Association – Nebraska's influential voice for health care.

If you have questions or concerns about any state legislation, please contact Bruce Rieker, Vice President, Advocacy, at (402) 742-8146 or brieker@nhanet.org; or Cora Micek, Advocacy Coordinator, at (402) 742-8153 or cmicek@nhanet.org. 

Bills of interest to NHA members advance

The following bills of interest to NHA members advanced recently. Below each bill number and description is the bill's current status.

• LB 112 — Exclude certain rural health loan repayments from income taxation
  Status: Advanced to Select File.
   
• LB 288 — Change provisions relating to health and human services
  Status: Advanced to Select File
   
• LB 342 — Provide duties for the Department of Health and Human Services relating to payment for pediatric feeding disorder treatment
  Status: Advanced to Select File
   
• LB 476 — Adopt the Center for Student Leadership and Extended Learning Act
  Status: Advanced to Select File
   
• LB 603 — Adopt the Behavioral Health Workforce Act and provide funding
  Status: Advanced to Final Reading. Bundled into Safe Haven package with LB 136, LB 346, LB 356 and LB 601.
   
• LB 630 — Change workers' compensation medical fee and procedural provisions
  Status: Advanced to Select File.
  
   

NHA testifies on Medicaid identification card

LINCOLN— The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) held a public hearing on April 30 to discuss proposed changes to regulations for the Nebraska Medical Assistance Program, also known as Medicaid. Changes include a new design for the Nebraska Medicaid Identification Card and issuing the the card once instead of monthly.

The Nebraska Hospital Association testified on behalf of Nebraska's hospitals in support of intent of the new identification card but with several caveats and recommendations that could improve the proposed card. Read testimony.
 

Workers’ compensation clean-up bill advanced

LINCOLN— Lawmakers gave first-round approval April 28 to a bill that would make changes to workers’ compensation laws. LB 630, introduced by Omaha Senator Steve Lathrop on behalf of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court, would make several technical changes to the workers’ compensation system. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, May 1, 2009

Safe haven bills bundled, advanced

LINCOLN— A bill originally intended to improve community-based behavioral health services in Nebraska was amended April 30, becoming an omnibus proposal to address issues highlighted by the state’s 2008 safe haven law. LB 603, introduced by Papillion Senator Tim Gay on behalf of the Health and Human Services Committee, would create a behavioral health education center to be administered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, May 1, 2009

 

Health care loan forgiveness exemption advances

LINCOLN— Health care professionals receiving loan repayments as part of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act would be able to exclude their loan repayments from state income tax under a bill advanced to select file April 30.

LB 112, introduced by Elk Creek Senator Lavon Heidemann, would exclude payments made under a program that offers loan repayments to pharmacists, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, mental health practitioners, psychologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physicians in exchange for serving state-designated shortage areas. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, May 1, 2009

NHA visits Capitol Hill

Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) members and staff recently visited with Nebraska's congressional delegation and their staff members on Capitol Hill to discuss important health care issues.

On April 27 and 28, nine Nebraska hospital administrators were joined by Laura J. Redoutey, NHA President; David Burd, Vice President, Finance; and Bruce Rieker, Vice President, Advocacy. They met with Nebraska's congressional delegation to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on hospitals and the communities they serve, including decreasing volumes and elective procedures and the increasing levels of uncompensated care. This was an excellent opportunity for candid conversations about the Employee Free Choice Act, health care reform, workforce development, health information technology and the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In coordination with the Capitol Hill visits, the NHA also hosted a U.S. Congressional Delegation reception on April 27 to honor Nebraska’s congressional representatives for their leadership on federal initiatives, which assist hospitals in providing comprehensive care and improving the health status of their communities. Attendees not only included a strong representation of hospitals from across the state of Nebraska, but also staff from every congressional office. The event gave the NHA and Capitol Hill staff the unique opportunity to discuss issues in greater detail and develop a stronger working relationship.

“It is very important that the Nebraska congressional delegation hear directly from the CEOs of the state’s hospitals regarding the challenges they are facing and how the federal government is either helping or hindering the delivery of quality health care to the state’s residents,” said Marty Fattig, CEO of Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. “By building relationships with the congressional delegation and their staff people, we establish credibility that is necessary to move our agenda forward.”

The commitment from Nebraska’s hospitals is evident in the success of the discussions held during the trip to Washington D.C. The NHA encourages hospitals members to attend next year’s AHA Annual Meeting, April 25-28, 2010, and participate in the State Issues Forum and Capitol Hill visits.

 

Red Flags Rule delayed

On April 30, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it will delay enforcement of the “Red Flags Rule” until August 1, 2009, to give creditors and financial institutions more time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs. For entities that have a low risk of identity theft, such as businesses that know their customers personally, the FTC will soon release a template to help them comply with the law.

“Given the ongoing debate regarding whether Congress wrote this provision too broadly, delaying enforcement of the Red Flags Rule will allow industries and associations to share guidance with their members, provide low-risk entities an opportunity to use the template in developing their programs, and give Congress time to consider the issue further,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said.

— Erickson Sederstrom news release, May 1, 2009

 

Nation's highest-ranking Green switching parties

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—The nation's highest-ranking member of the Green Party says he plans to become a Democrat. Arkansas state Representative Richard Carroll said Wednesday he plans to switch when the Democrat-controlled Arkansas Legislature adjourns Friday.

Carroll told The Associated Press his beliefs are "more in line with the Democrats so it was just something that made sense."

The 52-year-old lawmaker from North Little Rock was elected last year after Democrats refused to seat Dwayne Dobbins, a former state legislator who resigned to avoid a felony sexual assault conviction. Carroll beat two write-in candidates.

— Associated Press, April 29, 2009

 

Reid: Specter’s seniority will depend on Dem 'pals'

WASHINGTON—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) predicted Friday that a deal can be worked out to prevent Senator Arlen Specter from bumping a Senate Democrat from the chairmanship of a powerful committee or subcommittee next year.

Specter, the Pennsylvania lawmaker who abandoned the Republican Party this week to become a Democrat, has set his sights on chairing the Appropriations Committee someday. He could also take over the Judiciary Committee if current chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) takes the Appropriations gavel. Read more.

— TheHill.com, May 1, 2009

 

Medicare may pay more for primary-care docs, rural surgeons

WASHINGTON—The Senate Finance Committee has outlined a proposal to add a 5 percent bonus to Medicare payments for primary-care docs. General surgeons who practice in rural areas where surgeons are scarce would also qualify. But still unclear is how to pay for it, notes this blog posting from the Wall Street Journal. Read more.

— Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2009

 

Health reform: The race to 51 votes

The legislation to reform health care of the U.S. economy will turn on just 51 votes cast (or perhaps not) in the Senate over the next several months. The race to this 51 votes was launched as Congress approved a final budget resolution this week. Now the real work of lawmaking begins, says Sg2 analyst Stephen Jenkins. Read more.

— Sg2, May 1, 2009

 

For more information about health-related legislative bills or resolutions, contact: Bruce Rieker, Vice President, Advocacy, at (402) 742-8146 or brieker@nhanet.org or Cora Micek, Advocacy Coordinator, at (402) 742-8153 or cmicek@nhanet.org.

NHA Rotunda Review is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association, 3255 Salt Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504. Phone (402) 742-8140, Fax (402) 742-8191. Visit our Web site at http://www.nhanet.org. Kelley Porter, editor, at (402) 742-8151, or email, kporter@nhanet.org.

Back To Main