Texas Senate Bill SB353

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 12/10/08

Caption

Relating to nonpayment of hospitals under the state Medicaid program for certain preventable adverse conditions.

Impact

The enactment of SB353 is expected to significantly change how hospitals are reimbursed for care provided under Medicaid. By avoiding payment for preventable conditions, the bill incentivizes hospitals to improve the quality of care and to adopt stricter safety protocols to prevent such conditions from occurring. This measure aims to ultimately reduce healthcare costs for the state as it seeks to prevent unnecessary expenditures associated with complications that occur during hospital stays.

Summary

SB353 is legislation aimed at reforming the state Medicaid program's payment structure in response to certain preventable adverse conditions that occur during hospitalizations. The bill establishes a framework whereby hospitals may not receive additional payments for specific complications deemed preventable, effectively holding them accountable for enhancing patient safety during care. The bill lists various adverse conditions, such as foreign object retention, certain infections, and other medical complications, which will disallow payment if acquired during a recipient's hospitalization under Medicaid.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB353 include concerns from healthcare providers regarding the financial implications of nonpayment for preventable conditions. Critics argue that the bill could place undue financial strain on hospitals, particularly smaller institutions that may not have the resources to implement extensive safety measures. Additionally, there are worries about the potential for increased hospital admissions due to patients avoiding necessary care for fear of incurring costs related to preventable adverse events. On the other hand, proponents emphasize that the bill will promote better overall healthcare outcomes and accountability within the healthcare system.