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Date |
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1/9/2015 |
Member News |
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84th Legislative Session has arrived - Kevin Warren |
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| | Volume XXX, Number 1,
January 2015 | | 84th Legislative Session has arrived 
By this time next week, the 84th Legislature will be officially underway. The session begins at noon on January 13th and Gov-elect Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov-elect Dan Patrick will be sworn in on January 20th. Another important date is January 12th as that is when the initial revenue estimates will be released by the Comptroller’s office. This is a forecast of how much money will be available to be spent in the 2016-17 state budget.
Over the course of the next 30 days, Association staff, members and others will be meeting with new incoming members as well as continuing to visit with long term members, and leaders in both the House and the Senate. The 84th session is no different than previous years in that there is a lot of work to be done.
Your assistance and involvement here in Austin and back home in your communities is a critical component of our effectiveness. Scot Kibbe, Director, Government Relations, is coordinating with members to schedule dates for Capitol visits. If you have not signed up and you want to be involved, please contact Scot (skibbe@txhca.org or 512.458.1257) and let him know when you can be in Austin. We can never have too many volunteers and active/engaged members. Let your legislators hear from you!
Below is the list of the legislative priorities. You may recall a briefing in our November Issue of Notes; however, for a more comprehensive review, please visit the THCA website under “Legislative Priorities” and “Legislative Briefs”. | President's Report
84th Legislative Session
has arrived
Legislative Update
Budget Outlook is Mixed for
New Legislature
New Leaders Taking the
Reins of Texas Government
THCA Members Gearing Up
for Busy Legislative Session
State News
Effective February 1, 2015,
Institutional Claims
Submitted Via -- EDI Must
Have All Required Field
Information
HHSC Issues Information
Letter on Minimum Payment
Amount Program (MPA)
Important: Physician Last
Name Must Match Last
Name on Associated
License on Assessments
Distribution of Resident Days
by RUG Level Enclosed
Analysis of Survey Activity,
Deficiencies Enclosed – 4th
Quarter FY 2014
Announcements & Recognitions
2015 THCA Membership
AHCA/NCAL 7th Annual
Quality Symposium
THCA Membership Contribution
Stark Law Concerns with
Skilled Nursing Facility
Medical Directors
THCAPAC
THCAPAC "$500 Club"
Recognition
Region News
Fighting the Flu Requires
Constant Vigilance!
SAVE THE DATE! Provider
trainings are coming to an
area near you – please help
spread the word
Upcoming Region Meetings
Education
Medicaid Managed Care
Institute -
January 26-28, 2015
THCA Spring Conference
and Resource Fair
April 20 - 22, 2015,
Barton Creek Conference
Center - Austin, TX
THCA 65th Annual
Convention and Trade Show
September 21 - 24, 2015
The Gaylord Texas
Grapevine, Texas
DADS and DSHS
Conference: Infection
Control in Long-term Care
2015
The Health and Human
Services Commission
(HHSC) Provider Training
If you have suggestions for
education sessions or questions
about THCA education, please
contact Sue Wilson at the THCA
office swilson@txhca.org.
Calendar
January, 2015
February 2015 | | • | Develop value based enhancements that incentivize quality health care and promote innovations and fully fund the Medicaid Base Rate | | • | Seek solutions to mitigate the financial consequences
resulting from the ACA
Employer Mandate
| | • | Ensure a more Resident Centered, Predictable and Equitable Survey and Enforcement Process
| | • | Develop solutions to address
the Nursing Workforce Shortage
| | • | Defend and extend the SB7
Managed Care Protections
| | • | Preserve Tort Reform Protections
| | • | Dual Eligible Demonstration Implementation Timeline | | • | Expand the availability of Payments to Qualified Nursing Facilities to allow greater participation and program availability beyond 2016
| | • | Use Survey Data for Quality and Safety Improvement
| | Lastly, be looking for information that has been sent to each of the Provider Member facilities regarding the Commitment to Care. This initiative will target and support facility improvement efforts, as well as work to educate community leaders, legislators, and stakeholders on the efforts and resources necessary to make Texas’ the best we can be for the residents, families and communities you serve.
Onward and Upward |
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