Bills Monitored But Not Noticed
Controlled Substances HB 21 by Representative Boyd PASSED. The companion bill was CS/SB 8 by Senator Benaquisto. This legislation became Chapter No. 2018-013. The effective date is on July 1, 2018. This legislation increases requirements for regulation and training of health care professionals who prescribe or dispense controlled substances. It restricts managed care companies from requiring prior authorizations or step therapies or other conditions as a prerequisite to treatment; requires two hours of training by prescribing practitioners; requires boards to create guidelines; limits prescriptions to no more than three days of Schedule II drugs to treat acute pain and no more than seven days if determined to be medically necessary. The legislation requires certificates of exemption for pain clinics and requires pharmacists and dispensing practitioners to verify patients’ identities prior to dispensing controlled substances. There is $53 million in funding for this legislation. Certificates of Need for Hospitals HB 27 by Representative Fitzenhagen FAILED. The companion bill was SB 1492, by Senator Brandes. This bill would have eliminated “Certificate-of-Need” (CON) requirements and provisions for hospitals and hospital services. Under the CON program, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled must obtain authorizations from the state before offering certain new or expanded services. Continuing Care Agreements CS/SB 438 by Senator Lee and Banking and Insurance FAILED. The companion bill was HB 783 by Representative Grant, J. Generally, the Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) provide lifelong housing, household assistance, and nursing care in exchange for payment of significant entrance fees and monthly fees. CCRCs provide a continuum of care so, as residents age or become sick or frail, they receive on-site needed long-term care. The bill would have authorized procedures for the Office of Insurance Regulation to follow in order to intervene earlier with CCRCs facing negative financial trends.
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