SB3 | Act 6 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS WORKS TO REDUCE INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITS AND IMPOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS; TO ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY TO SELECT WHETHER TO BECOME AN “ASSESSMENT STATE” OR A “DETERMINATION STATE”; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Lainey, our Founder, is going live tonight at 5pm on KABF 88.3 with 4 other panelists to talk about the state of Arkansas healthcare! We hope you’ll join her:
Panelists are:
Speak Up Arkansas is a one-hour show which hopes to convey an “around the kitchen table” informal discussion that will give you needed information and perspective. The show and panelists hope you’ll call or email to ask about where or how to access services and learn more about navigating the systems.
The show usually starts with each panel member having 5 minutes to provide information about the particular focus area of their health practice, program, or policy work. This is a chance for all listeners to learn about the importance of health care and healthy practices, what services might be available, or what actions they can take to engage or learn more.
A message from the Arkansas Provider Coalition:
Dear providers, beneficiaries, parents of beneficiaries, and other relevant stakeholders –
Beginning Monday, April 3, and continuing every Monday through April 24, DHS will resume large group meetings with stakeholders regarding the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities client journey and transition of individuals into the Provider-Led Entity model. DHS will seek input from the key stakeholders regarding their roles and responsibilities to ensure the timely and effective launch of this initiative.
The meetings will be from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M., and will be held at St. Vincent Hospital’s Main Auditorium*.
The first meeting will focus on the population of beneficiaries with behavioral health needs and their client journey into the Provider Led Entity model. Our second meeting will focus on the developmentally disabled population and their client journey into the Provider-Led Entity model.
All are welcome to attend either in person, or via the web at: http://bit.ly/2mSKp9D You may register for all four meetings using the link above. If you are unable to attend the meetings in person or online, the sessions will be recorded and posted to the Arkansas Medicaid website (https://www.medicaid.state.ar.us/).
*The Main Auditorium is located in the Center for Education, which is directly across the street from the parking garage. There is a fountain in front of the entrance.
Many of us feel overwhelmed by the information coming out about the American Health Care Act. Whether you support or oppose it, you need to let your federal representatives know how you feel.
If you’re not sure whether you support or oppose it, read the report from the House Budget Committee and the latest official information about the bill.
Some of you may fully support it, and it always helps to contact your legislators and tell them exactly what you like about it so those things won’t change.
We’ve seen many lawmakers oppose it, and they’re making amendments now to improve the bill. Our own Senator Cotton released a statement saying he can’t support it even with the recent amendments, while Westerman thinks it’s very patient-centered. Read about how our other Congressmen plan to vote. This bill has the capability to be devastating for Medicaid recipients. If this bill affects you, you need to contact all Arkansas US Senators and Representatives. Tell them what’s important for you.
Many National Advocacy groups and organizations are concerned about the AHCA, and they’ve asked Congress to protect Medicaid by changing what’s currently written.
The following is information provided by the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families:
“This week the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill that would repeal many provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and impose a per capita cap on the Medicaid program. In its current form, the bill would be a major step backward for health care coverage for our children, their parents, seniors, and the disabled.”
Read more about the AACF’s concerns.
“In exchange for cutting and capping funds, states are allowed unprecedented flexibility to set eligibility standards, benefits, families’ out-of-pocket costs, and provider payments.”
“Under the proposed AHCA, the children in the state who rely on ARKids First are at risk of losing the coverage they need and deserve.”
“The Medicaid reductions would also translate into a loss of coverage, fewer benefits, and lower provider payments… including [for] those with special health care needs like autism, Down syndrome, and other conditions that require special care.”
Make sure you contact US Congressmen, list the bill (AHCA), and briefly explain how it will affect you.
More from the AACF: http://www.aradvocates.org/aacf-statement-on-the-american-health-care-act-ahca/
The Regular Session of the 91st General Assembly began on Monday, January 9, 2017. Bill filing began on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, and the final deadline to file legislation was on Monday, March 6. The session ended on Monday, April 3, 2017. The amount of bills submitted that affect Medicaid may seem overwhelming, but this list will give you access to each bill’s history, actual language and details, as well as how your Legislators voted for these issues.
Passed
HB1706 | now Act 775 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO DESIGNATE THAT A RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES UNDER ARKANSAS LAW; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1901 | now Act 958 – TO CREATE THE VOLUNTEER HEALTH CARE ACT.
HB1283 | now Act 902 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
SB195 | now Act 835 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1284 | now Act 852 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB2177 | now Act 892 – TO CLARIFY THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES OF THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO POST-ELIGIBILITY TREATMENT OF INCOME OF INSTITUTIONALIZED INDIVIDUALS OF LONG- TERM CARE MEDICAID.
HB1954 | now Act 802 – TO REQUIRE A PROGRAM SAVINGS PLAN FOR THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE SYSTEM.
SB564 | now Act 978 – TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF HEALTHCARE FRAUD; AND TO UPDATE THE MEDICAID FRAUD ACT AND THE MEDICAID FRAUD FALSE CLAIMS ACT.
HB1162 | now Act 141 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS TAX LAW CONCERNING INCOME TAX, SALES AND USE TAXES, AND THE SOFT DRINK TAX; AND TO SUPPLEMENT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TRUST FUND TO OFFSET DECREASED DEPOSITS FROM TAX REVENUES.
HB1033 | now Act 50 – TO AMEND INITIATED ACT 1 OF 2000, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS ACT, TO REDUCE THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WAITING LIST; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1025 | now Act 46 – TO AMEND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM ACT TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM
SB81 | now Act 83 – AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1200 | now Act 120 – AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES – REYNOLDS CENTER ON AGING, BOOZMAN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ARK. BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE, & THE AREA HEALTH ED. CENTER IN HELENA APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
SB146 | now Act 203 – TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING TELEMEDICINE; AND TO CREATE THE TELEMEDICINE ACT.
HB1491 | now Act 230 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES GENERAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
HB1016 | now Act 517 – TO CONVERT THE HOSPITAL REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEMS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO DIAGNOSIS-RELATED GROUP METHODOLOGY.
HB1919 | now Act 605 – TO CODIFY THE PROCESS FOR THE REVIEW OF RULES IMPACTING STATE MEDICAID COSTS; AND TO EXEMPT MEDICAL CODES FROM THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS AND LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
HB1501 | now Act 591 – TO MODIFY AND REPEAL LANGUAGE REFERENCING THE SUPERSEDED ELDERCHOICES PROGRAM.
HB1626 | now Act 568 – TO AMEND THE PROHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
HB1264 | now Act 546 – TO PROVIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PERFORMED BY A WALK-IN CLINIC OR EMERGENT CARE CLINIC WHEN THE PATIENT DOES NOT HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER ASSIGNED.
SB206 | now Act 699 – TO AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPANSION IN MEDICAID COSTS AND SERVICES RELATED TO REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS; AND TO CODIFY THE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS MORATORIUM.
HCR1012 | approved by Gov – TO ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNOR TO SUBMIT A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO COVERAGE FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN FROM THE COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION ISLANDS.
HB1646 | now Act 745 – TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SB196 | now Act 1045 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1183 | now Act 1092 – TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY AND EFFICIENCY OF CHIROPRACTIC COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO ALLOW MEDICAID RECIPIENTS DIRECT ACCESS TO A CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN WITHOUT REFERRAL FROM A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.
HB1803 | WITHDRAWN – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPOSE AN INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX ON RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB765 | WITHDRAWN – TO HARMONIZE THE INTERPRETATION OF FEDERAL MEDICAID REGULATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL IN REGARDS TO PROVIDER AUDITS.
HB1916 | WITHDRAWN – TO REQUIRE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES TO USE THEIR OWN MEDICAID PROVIDER NUMBER OR A MODIFIER TO A MEDICAL CODE WHEN BILLING THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
HB1878 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS.
HB1809 – TO REFORM MEDICAID SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB593 – TO REFORM THE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HB1903 – TO CREATE THE ENHANCED ELIGIBILITY AND AUTHENTICATION ACT.
HB2124 – TO ELIMINATE THE ASSET OR RESOURCE TEST FOR LONG-TERM CARE MEDICAID WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR VETERANS.
HB2145 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPOSE AN INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX ON RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1271 – TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTH INSURANCE INNOVATION ACT OF 2017; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1300 – TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PRIORITIZE SPENDING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO FULLY FUND HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HB1810 – TO CLARIFY AND ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR SMALL INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB603 – TO PROVIDE NECESSARY MEDICAID FUNDING TO COVER INCREASES IN COSTS INCURRED BY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB604 – TO ESTABLISH THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT ADEQUACY COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR REGULAR REVIEWS OF MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB756 – TO IMPLEMENT COST SAVINGS AND MANAGE GROWTH IN OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS DURING THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION TO PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE.
SB175 – TO REQUIRE MEDICAID PROVIDERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCLOSE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
HB1981 – TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO SPECIFIC MEDICAID POPULATIONS; AND TO REFORM THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
SB503 – TO PROVIDE FOR CONSISTENT TREATMENT IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE EDUCATION OF ARKANSAS STUDENTS DURING PLACEMENT IN A FACILITY IN A BORDER STATE.
SB434 – TO REMOVE THE ENROLLMENT CAPS IN THE LIVING CHOICES ASSISTED LIVING MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM.
HB1502 – TO CREATE AN EXEMPTION TO THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY AND THE DEFINITION OF ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.
SB355 – TO TERMINATE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE “PRIVATE OPTION” AND THE ARKANSAS WORKS PROGRAM.
HB1182 – TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO ALLOW AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO BE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
SB120 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS TAX LAW CONCERNING INCOME TAX, SALES AND USE TAXES, AND THE SOFT DRINK TAX; AND TO SUPPLEMENT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TRUST FUND TO OFFSET DECREASED DEPOSITS FROM TAX REVENUES.
HB1257 – TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT.
Medicaid Saves Lives 