DEDICATED TO THE HEALTH OF ALL CHILDREN Winner of Outstanding Chapter Award 1966, 1996, 2000 & 2004 |
Legislative Affairs
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2010 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Update March 5, 2010 The 2010 Georgia Assembly is in recess until March 8, which will then be its 21st legislative day in its 40-day term. The legislators have adjourned to wait on February revenue numbers to be known, as the state's falling revenues and its budget deficits have dominated this 2010 session. The Governor has proposed a 2% reimbursement cut in the Medicaid, which would impact all physicians; and a 1.6% tax on hospitals to help fill the Medicaid gap. The Chapter opposes both measures and along with many other groups, has urged the legislature to pass an increase in the state's tobacco tax. Raising it to the national average would raise about $400M in new revenue. As of today, here's a list of the bills we're following at the session now: Budget Bills: (Note: The General Assembly must pass amendments to the current year budget (FY 2010); and then also pass the state budget for next year, FY 2011, which begins on July 1, 2010. They take up the 2010 budget first. FY 2010 Medicaid Budget: House and Senate have passed this, but it has not yet been finalized by the Conference Committee. It contained no cuts in Medicaid reimbursement. However, because of falling revenues, the Governor may need to reduce revenue estimates, necessitating further cuts. FY 2011 Budget: The budget writers are waiting to see February’s revenue numbers before proceeding with 2011, but the deficit appears nearly $1B dollars. It contains a 2% reduction in all provider fees, except hospitals. And hospitals are to be taxed at 1.6% so that they receive a 6-8% rate hike. However, only about a third of them are net winners. We and many others continue to push the tobacco tax as part of the answer. House Bills: HB 23, (Ramsey, 72nd), Would prohibit use of cell phones by teens while driving. Passed the House last year but now in a study committee. HB 39, (Stephens, 164th), increase in tobacco tax, would increase tax on cigarettes from .37 to $1.37 a pack and on smokeless tobacco from 10% to 25% of the wholesale cost price. Not moving, but lots of talk. HB 426, (Dempsey, 13th), Requires expanded Insurance Coverage for Autism. Not moving. HB 736, Flu mist: Adds nasal vaccine to injectable form which pharmacists may give to those 13 and older. HB 834, Philosophical exemption to immunizations: Would permit under current Ga. Law. Not moving HB 871, Voluntary vaccination: Would make now required vaccinations in event of declared pandemic voluntary. Not moving. HB 927, Bullying: Would require schools to develop programs, expands definition of bullying and permits schools to separate parties when needed, and educate parents. HB 938, Would prohibit texting while driving. Not moving. HB 1184: Would permit sale of inter-state insurance policies. Chapter's concern is that the bill, as presently written, would exempt policies written by out of state companies from observing Georgia's mandated benefit laws, including coverage for well-child visits, 48-hour maternity stays, etc. This is part of the Governor's package. In House Insurance committee. HB 1250, NPs and PA expansion: Would permit NP’s to prescribe Schedule II drugs, and to sign (also PA’s) any forms physician can now sign; and to be “recorded” as the provider of the patient’s care. Assigned to a sub-committee of the House Non Civil Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Setzler. R-Acworth. Senate Bills: SB 5, (Thomas, 54th), Require the use of seat belts in pick-up trucks & SUVs. Passed Senate last year; stuck in House Agriculture Committee. SB 50, (Hudgens, 47th), MAG’s rental network bill, would prohibit plans from “renting” existing networks, without disclosure and transparency to providers. Passed Senate last week; now goes to House Insurance. SB 62, (Hudgens, 47th), would subject Third Party Administrators to the state’s prompt pay law. Passed Senate last year; but stuck this year in House Appropriations subcommittee. SB 132, ( Fort, 39th), would raise mandatory school age requirement from 16 years to 17. Not moving. SB 161, (Grant, 25th), Autism, mandated benefits. Would mandate insurers to cover certain benefits for treatment of autism spectrum disorders. (Twin bill to HB 426.) Sponsors haven’t tried to move it. SB 289, PT, OT, & SH Tx services for children in CMO’s: Makes certain improvements in receiving these services in Medicaid CMOs. Bill brought by their associations. In Senate Health Committee. SB 367, Flu mist: Adds nasal flu vaccine to the injectable form which pharmacists may give to those 13 and older. Passed Senate. SB 443: CMO Legislative Oversight: would create the Medicaid CMO Oversight committee to review consumer and provider complaints. In Senate Insurance Committee and a hearing is expected next week. Author: Preston Smith, R-Rome. For more information on any of these of other bills, Chapter members may contact Rick Ward, at the Chapter office, at rward@gaaap.org.
Tobacco Tax Increase Talking Points:
1. The Medicaid budget profoundly effects the healthcare of children.
Over 30% of all pediatricians recently surveyed the the Chapter have over half their practice in
Medicaid. Another 30% have almost half their
practice in Medicaid (40% of the practice) That means that almost 2/3 of
pediatricians have more than half of their practice covered
by Medicaid.
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| List of Key Committees & Members |
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
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Mickey
Channell, Greensboro - Vice Chair |
Donna Sheldon, Dacula - Secretary |
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Mark
Burkhalter, Alpharetta
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Matt
Dollar, Marietta 404-656-0254 matt.dollar@house.ga.gov |
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Carolyn
Hugley, Columbus 404-656-5058 carolyn.hugley@house.ga.gov |
Ed Rynders,
Albany |
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Jay Shaw,
Lakeland
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Ron
Stephens, Savannah |
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Pat
Gardner, Atlanta |
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(Click on the names for more information.)
Sharon Cooper Chair
Ed Rynders Vice Chair
Earl Carter Secretary
Rep. Larry O'Neal, Chairman 404.656.5103 Rep. Rick Austin 404.656.0287
Rep. Chuck Sims, Vice Chairman 404.656.3947 Rep. Bob Bryant 404.656.0298
Rep. David Knight, Secretary 404.656.0152 Rep. Tom Graves 404.656.0109
Rep. Stacey Abrams 404.656.0224 Rep. James Mills 404.656.5099
Rep. Ellis Black 404.656.0287 Rep. Allen Peake 404.656.0188
Rep. Mike Glanton 404.656.0202 Rep. Jay Roberts 404.656.5025
Rep. Jeff May 404.656.7146 Rep. Mickey Stephens 404.656.0117
Rep. Don Parsons 404.656.9198 Rep. Rashad Taylor 404.656.0220
Rep. Tom Rice 404.656.5912 Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague 404.656.0220
Rep. Martin Scott 404.656.0254 Rep. Virgil Fludd 404.656.0314
Rep. Willie Talton 404.656.0254 Rep. Chuck Martin 404.463.2247
Rep. Howard Mosby 404.656.0287 Rep. Jay Powell 404.656.0177
Rep. Austin Scott 404.656.5132 Rep. Ron Stephens 404.656.5099
Rep. Roger Williams 404.656.3904
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Sen. Greg Goggans, DDS, Douglas, Chair 404-463-5263, drgg@alltel.net
Sen. Tim Golden, Valdosta 404-656-7580, tim.golden@senate.ga.gov
Sen. William Heath, Bremen 404-463-1361, billheath@billheath.net
Sen. Chip Rogers, Cherokee 404- 463-1378, chip.rogers@senate.ga.gov
Sen. Valencia Seay, Riverdale 404-656-5095, vseay@legis.state.ga.us
Sen. Cecil Staton, Macon, Vice-Chair 404-656-5039, cstaton@legis.state.ga.us
Sen. Don Thomas, MD, Dalton 404-656-6436, dthomas@legis.state.ga.us
Sen. Renee Unterman , Buford 404-463-1368, reneeu@mindspring.com
Sen. Tommie Williams, Lyons 404-656-0048, tommie@tommiewilliams.com
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