Louisiana Senate Bill SR161

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/23/11
• Passed: 6/23/11

Caption

Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to repeal the administrative rule which requires a referral in order for services provided by a school based health center to a child under the age of ten to be reimbursed by the Medicaid program.

Impact

The resolution's intent is to streamline reimbursement processes for school-based health centers. By eliminating the necessity for a referral, the resolution aims to enhance access to healthcare services for children, particularly in underserved areas. It seeks to align the reimbursement rules for school-based health centers with those already in place for Federally Qualified Health Centers, thus promoting more equitable healthcare access and addressing the unique needs of young children in educational settings.

Summary

Senate Resolution 161, sponsored by Senator McPherson, seeks to urge the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to repeal an outdated administrative rule that requires a referral from a primary care provider for Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to children under the age of ten by school-based health centers. This resolution addresses a specific bureaucratic obstacle that adversely affects the ability of these centers to receive funds for the healthcare services they provide, especially in light of recent budget cuts affecting these facilities.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR161 appears to be positive among supporters of school-based health initiatives. Advocates argue that repealing the referral requirement will reduce administrative burdens and allow school health centers to better serve their populations. However, while no significant opposition is explicitly noted in the discussions provided, there may be underlying concerns about the potential impacts on oversight or quality of care, which could arise in discussions about such reforms.

Contention

One notable point of contention could revolve around balancing the need for improved access to healthcare for children with the concerns about ensuring that services rendered meet quality and regulatory standards. Although the primary agenda is to ease access to services, stakeholders may debate the necessity and effectiveness of the referral requirement as a safeguard for ensuring children receive appropriate care before accessing these health services.