Louisiana Senate Bill SCR108

Louisiana 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/21/13
• Refer: 5/21/13
• Report Pass: 5/22/13
• Passed: 5/23/13
• Engrossed: 5/23/13
• Refer: 5/28/13
• Report Pass: 5/29/13

Caption

Directs the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend Louisiana's Section 1115a demonstration waiver for the Greater New Orleans Community Health Connection and authorizes the governor and the secretary of the department to identify a source or sources for matching of non-federal funds required under the extended waiver.

Impact

The resolution underscores the importance of maintaining the GNOCHC waiver as its expiration could leave around 60,000 individuals without essential healthcare coverage and services. By extending this waiver, Louisiana aims to continue improving health outcomes through enhanced access and affordability of quality primary care and mental health services for vulnerable populations. The emphasis on a public-private partnership model promotes collaborative healthcare delivery, which stakeholders believe will sustain improved quality of care in the region.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 108 (SCR108) seeks to authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to request an extension of the Section 1115a demonstration waiver, specifically targeting the Greater New Orleans Community Health Connection (GNOCHC). Originally established in 2010, this waiver aims to bolster access to primary care services and develop a model of care emphasizing medical homes, effectively ensuring healthcare provision irrespective of patients' financial situations. The resolution is framed within the context of enhancing healthcare access in the Greater New Orleans area, where significant strides have been made since the post-Katrina recovery efforts began.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR108 is predominantly positive among healthcare advocates and providers, who recognize the program's success in increasing healthcare access and satisfaction among low-income communities in the Greater New Orleans area. The potential loss of the waiver is viewed with concern, as it could reverse gains made since its implementation. Overall, there is a consensus on the need for continued funding and support for the health centers operating under the GNOCHC waiver, highlighting its role in creating a path for better healthcare access in the region.

Contention

While the resolution has garnered widespread support, there are underlying tensions regarding funding sources for the matching non-federal funds required for the waiver's extension. As discussions progress, stakeholders may express varying views on the sustainability of funding mechanisms and whether sufficient financial resources will be identified to fulfill the state's obligations under the extended Medicaid waiver. The critical nature of these discussions emphasizes the broader implications for state-level healthcare financing and policy decisions.