Louisiana House Bill HR209

Louisiana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/25/23
• Passed: 6/2/23

Caption

Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to form a group to study the uncompensated work of support coordination agencies in this state

Impact

The resolution aims to enhance the reimbursement process for SCAs by studying alternatives and best practices from other states. It suggests several strategies, including potentially reassigning pre-certification tasks to local governing bodies and changing linkage protocols until individuals are deemed Medicaid eligible. This study is anticipated to identify ways to alleviate the financial pressures on SCAs, thereby improving their capability to serve clients efficiently.

Summary

House Resolution 209 requests the Louisiana Department of Health to establish a study group to investigate the uncompensated work performed by support coordination agencies (SCAs) in Louisiana. SCAs are instrumental in coordinating care and providing essential services to individuals, particularly those receiving support through the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Aging and Adult Services. The resolution specifically addresses the financial burden faced by SCAs as they are not reimbursed for work performed prior to formal eligibility certification, leading to significant operational challenges.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HR 209 seems largely supportive, reflecting a consensus among legislators on the necessity to address the operational challenges faced by SCAs. The bill passed unanimously in the House, indicating broad bipartisan agreement on the importance of the issues it seeks to address, which revolve around funding and operational effectiveness in delivering services to vulnerable populations.

Contention

While the resolution enjoys support, potential points of contention may arise regarding the reassignment of responsibilities from SCAs to local authorities, as this could impact current workflows and employee roles within those agencies. Stakeholders may have differing opinions on how best to implement changes to the reimbursement framework and the implications for service delivery.