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161, sponsored by Senator McPherson, seeks to urge the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to repeal an outdated administrative rule that requires a referral from a primary care provider for Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to children under the age of ten by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.
Urges and requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to repeal administrative rules which serve as a barrier to Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health centers.
Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to study possible methods which would increase the provision of graduate medical education in central Louisiana by designating certain hospitals which enter into public/private partnerships with Huey P. Long Medical Center as major teaching hospitals for purposes of Medicaid reimbursement.
Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Louisiana-based community mental health centers and to report to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare by January 1, 2011.
Requests the LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport and the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the healthcare needs of the Northeast Louisiana Delta region and to make recommendations to the legislature which would increase the provision of healthcare in that area of the state.
Requests the Department of Health and Hospitals to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to include as a Medicaid service the Tdap vaccine to pregnant women and to provide a cost analysis to the legislature for providing this Medicaid service.
Requests a study of the feasibility of the La. Children and Youth Health Insurance Program providing for reimbursement of health care services delivered at schools
Requires the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to amend state plan for La. Children and Youth Health Insurance Program to provide for the reimbursement of certain health care services provided at school (OR GF EX See Note)
Requests the office of public health within the Department of Health and Hospitals to promulgate rules which require the effective treatment of effluent when produced and discharged by certain sewage treatment systems.