Public Policy Potpourri...
Senate measure would extend FMAP increase Senate leaders added a $24 billion measure that extends a temporary increase in the federal Medicaid matching rate and kept in place an 18-month Medicare physician pay increase under an amendment filed today that makes minor changes to a House-passed tax-and-jobs bill.
The federal Medicaid matching rate, commonly known as the FMAP, increased by 6.2 percentage points in February 2009 under legislation meant to boost the economy. That increase, however, is scheduled to expire at the end of this year. The Senate's measure extends it until June 30, 2011.
But it does so at a cost. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the extension will cost $24.2 billion over the next decade, which lawmakers don't have to offset with cuts elsewhere since it is considered emergency funding.
The total, however, proved unpalatable to a bloc of fiscally conservative House Democrats, who forced leaders there to drop the provision from legislation it passed just before Memorial Day.
Senate leaders also opted to mirror the House's “doc fix” provision, giving physicians a 2.2% update for the balance of this year and a 1% increase for 2011.
The amendment, which the Senate could vote on before the end of the week, includes a $4.2 billion hit to hospitals under tweaks made to the so-called “72 Hour Rule,” which effectively states that all services provided for Medicare patients within three days of the hospital admission are considered to be part of the inpatient services and should be billed on one claim.
Hospital lobbyists have said they would fight the measure.
Other healthcare provisions include an expansion of the 340B drug discount program; an extension of the Section 508 reclassifications affecting wage index values; and a measure that would boost payments to a few California hospitals.
While Senate Democrats were able to add back the FMAP provision, they did not secure a measure that would have extended higher federal assistance for COBRA subsidies to the newly unemployed. As is, the special subsidy goes to those who have lost their jobs before May 31.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he lobbied to include the COBRA extension. “I'd like to get it reinstated, but we have a careful balance here,” he said. “The balance doesn't make everybody happy.”
Democratic leaders now must secure some Republican support in order to pass the measure and send it back to the House.
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20100608/NEWS/306089988#
WA State...
Revenue collection down 1.1 percent for the quarter —
is another special session on the way?
Arun Raha, the state’s chief economic forecaster, presented the economic forecast today — it’s the precursor to the Economic and Revenue Forecast that will be released on June 17. The news: Washington’s revenue collections for the first quarter of the year are about $48 million less than expected — or 1.1 percent. Read the whole report here. In related news, earlier this week Gov. Chris Gregoire said that if $480 million that state budget writers were counting on from the federal government for Medicaid doesn’t materialize — as is called for in the budget – then another special session may be necessary.
http://www.tvw.org/capitolrecord/index.php/2010/06/revenue-collection-down-1-1-percent-for-the-quarter-is-another-special-session-on-the-way/
Olympian Blog: Gregoire to sign income tax initiative
Federal update...Kennedy, Tim Murphy Introduce Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010
Justice for All ~ Passage of Harmful Restraints and Seclusion in Schools Act
US Rep. Miller's (D) California Passionate Closing Statement
Keeping All Children Safe Act HR 4247
Washbucket
Fuse Washington
Office of the Education Ombudsman
2009 Recommendations for Improving K-12 Public Education
focus on Special Education
(report in pdf)
Classroom Access bill support includes approx. 20 letters of support from parents and organizations across 8 Washington counties and a 2009 US District Court decision. House Education Chair has not scheduled a hearing for the bill this (2010) session.
Link to Sarah's web page about the classroom access bill.
Link to Sarah's blog about the bill.
WSIPP (WA State Institute for Public Policy)
Link to Report on Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Services in Washington, Research Evidence
State Info for 2009 Legislative Session:
WADad's Legislative Action Center
Share your views on public mental health system, parenting challenges and successes with other parents and professionals:
UW Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy Blog
From Georgetown University Center for Children and Families:
A Children's Health Policy Blog
This blog/site is connected to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is a great resource:
Justice for All Blog
WA State Legislative Homepage
US House of Representatives
US Senate
The White House
Congressional Budget Office