Louisiana Senate Bill SB539

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/10
• Refer: 3/29/10
• Report Pass: 4/14/10
• Refer: 5/4/10

Caption

Requires the Department of Health and Hospitals secretary to license and enroll in the Medicaid program certain providers who operate intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled. (gov sig) (EG GF EX See Note)

Impact

The bill also includes an exemption from the customer need review process, allowing qualifying providers to bypass certain regulatory hurdles that are otherwise required under the law. This exemption can potentially increase access to care for individuals with developmental disabilities, although it maintains that all other applicable licensing regulations must still be adhered to. If implemented, SB539 may enhance Medicaid support for longstanding organizations while ensuring they meet ongoing care standards.

Summary

Senate Bill 539 requires the Department of Health and Hospitals in Louisiana to license and enroll certain providers into the Medicaid program as intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled. Specifically, the bill targets nonprofit organizations that have been operational for over a hundred years and provide care for adult women with disabilities resulting from mental retardation or similar conditions. This provision aims to streamline the process for long-established facilities to receive Medicaid support.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding SB539 seem to be largely supportive of the intent behind the bill, recognizing the critical need for services for the developmentally disabled population. However, there may also be concern among some stakeholders regarding the implications of licensing exemptions and whether such changes adequately protect the health and safety standards of care required in these facilities. Overall, the sentiment appears favorable towards facilitating access to Medicaid but cautious about maintaining care quality.

Contention

While the bill seeks to simplify the enrollment process for well-established nonprofit care providers, some lawmakers and advocacy groups may raise questions about the potential risks involved in exempting certain facilities from standard regulatory reviews. The debate may revolve around balancing the need for efficient access to Medicaid services against the necessity of thorough oversight to protect vulnerable populations. Thus, while there is support for the bill, it could face scrutiny related to health regulations and quality of care.