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Wyoming 2008 Legislative Budget Session Health Care Issues Report #4 2/22/08 Wendy H. Lowe 643 East 3rd Street Casper, Wyoming 82601 307-267-6218
H.B. 82, the bill to extend the program to pay hospitals for unreimbursed trauma care is moving through the House. While there is some opposition from folks saying that unreimbursed trauma care should just be a cost of doing business, most others see the importance of maintaining quality, available trauma care in the low populated, wide open spaces of Wyoming. It will be on final reading in the House and then move over to the Senate for consideration.
The bill to require accused drunken drivers to sober up before they could be released from jail, SF 59, was defeated in Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill was prompted by an incident in Casper and will likely come back during the General Session with revisions to protect constitutional rights of an individual.
HB 188, Loss of Chance Abrogated, sponsored by Rep. Hallinan (R-Gillette) will be on final reading in the House on Monday. The bill provides that if a plaintiff does not recover from a medical treatment or procedure, and the chance of recovery or survival was lessened by medical malpractice, the proper measure of damages is the total damages times the percentage reduction in the chance of recovery or survival caused by the malpractice.
HB 73 sponsored by Rep. Erin Mercer (R-Gillette) toughens drunken driving penalties. A third DUI in seven years would be a felony, as would a fifth DUI in the course of a lifetime. Current law allows up to three drunken driving convictions without the threat of prison and a fourth DUI in five years is a felony. The bill also requires 60 days in jail for a second drunken driving conviction instead of the current seven days and would increase the maximum fine from $750 to $3,000. The bill will receive its final House vote and then likely move to the Senate where it traditionally has been met with tough resistance.
SF 85, which would create a pilot program for state-funded health care for low income residents, passed on second reading in the Senate. SF 19, which would establish requirements for cleaning up clandestine drug labs, will be on final reading in the Senate on Monday.
H.B. 38 Medicaid Provider Reimbursements, to direct the Department of Health to establish a new reimbursement schedule for providers of Medicaid services, is moving to the Senate for consideration. Reimbursement schedules would be reviewed in conjunction with the biennial budget every two years.
I have moved the bills that failed to the end of the list. A total bill listing can be viewed by going to 2008 Bill Information. When you look up a bill that has passed one house and moved to the other, check to see if there is an engrossed version with amendments included.
STATUS OF BILLS OF INTEREST
H.B. No. 0013 Psychologist licensure. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AN ACT relating to the Wyoming state board of psychology; amending the psychologists licensing act; providing for application of licensing act; removing separate licensing requirements related to school psychologists; revising the composition of the state board of psychology as specified; providing for issuance of temporary licenses to practice psychology as specified; revising the grounds and evidentiary standard for disciplinary actions as specified; authorizing the state board to employ specified personnel; amending and adding definitions; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON HOUSE GENERAL FILE
H.B. No. 0031 Medical safety event reporting. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to public health and safety; authorizing the department of health to define safety events for purposes of mandatory reporting by health care facilities as specified; granting rulemaking authority; repealing a list of reportable safety events; and providing for an effective date. PASSED HOUSE, IN SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE
H.B. No. 0038 Medicaid-provider reimbursements. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to Medicaid; providing for regular revision of provider reimbursement schedules as specified; and providing for an effective date. PASSED HOUSE, IN SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE
H.B. No. 0043 Penalties for domestic violence. Sponsored by: BERGER AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; increasing penalties for domestic violence offenses as specified; and providing for an effective date. PASSED HOUSE , IN SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
H.B. No. 0052 Developmental programs-cost based reimbursements. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Developmental Programs AN ACT relating to Medicaid; authorizing a cost based payment system for providers of services and supplies under home and community based waiver programs for persons with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury; granting rulemaking authority; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN HOUSE
Sponsored by: MERCER AN ACT relating to driving while under the influence; amending penalties for driving while under the influence as specified; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE JUDICIARY, ON FINAL READING IN HOUSE
H.B. No. 0082 Trauma care services. Sponsored by: LOCKHART AN ACT relating to medical care; extending payment program to hospitals for unreimbursed trauma care as specified; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN HOUSE
H.B. No. 0098 Speech pathologists licensing. Sponsored by: ESQUIBEL,K AN ACT relating to professions and occupations; amending the licensing act for speech pathologists and audiologists; making the act applicable to persons practicing through telephonic or other remote means; amending educational requirements for licenses as specified; repealing obsolete provisions; repealing authorization for temporary unlicensed practice; providing for a provisional license; amending license renewal requirements; amending maximum fines for violations; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE MINERALS COMMITTEE, ON SECOND READING IN HOUSE
H.B. No. 0127 Prescription drugs-physician shopping. Sponsored by: SIMPSON AN ACT relating to controlled substances; amending the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971 to further specify illegal means of obtaining and dispensing controlled substances or obtaining prescriptions for controlled substances; amending penalties; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON SECOND READING IN HOUSE
H.B. No. 0155 Recruitment of physicians and dentists. Sponsored by: LUBNAU AN ACT relating to health care services; providing a grant program for physician recruitment; providing grant eligibility and payment conditions; granting rulemaking authority; repealing a local matching funds requirement for the physician and dentist loan repayment program; providing appropriations; authorizing a position; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON SECOND READING IN HOUSE
S.F. No. 0006 Costs for emergency detentions-limitations. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AN ACT relating to hospitalization of mentally ill persons; limiting the costs that a county or the state may be required to pay for persons detained to determine whether the person is mentally ill and in need of involuntary hospitalization; and providing for an effective date. PASSED SENATE, IN HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
S.F. No. 0010 Mental health and substance abuse appropriations. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AN ACT relating to mental health and substance abuse appropriations; providing appropriations as specified; specifying conditions; continuing a study of mental health and substance abuse services delivery systems; and providing for effective dates. PASSED SENATE, IN HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE
S.F. No. 0013 Mental Health Professions Practice Act-amendments. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AN ACT relating to the Mental Health Professions Practice Act; modifying certification and provisional licensing requirements; clarifying licensure and certification reciprocity; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN SENATE
S.F. No. 0024 Health insurance-clinical trials. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to insurance; requiring coverage in health insurance policies and certificates for routine care related to the insured's participation in a clinical trial or study as specified; providing exceptions; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN SENATE
S.F. No. 0031 Domestic violence counseling period. Sponsored by: HASTERT AN ACT relating to domestic violence; amending the time period a respondent in a domestic violence incident may be required to participate in counseling or other appropriate treatment; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN SENATE
S.F. No. 0036 Public health emergencies-volunteers. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to public health and safety; providing immunity from liability for volunteer health care providers without active licenses as specified; providing for temporary health care provider licensure during a public health emergency; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON SECOND READING IN SENATE
S.F. No. 0057 Hospitals-participation in state retirement. Sponsored by: ANDERSON,J AN ACT relating to the Wyoming retirement system; allowing employees of county memorial hospitals and special hospital districts to participate in the retirement system; prohibiting participation in multiple retirement programs as specified; amending a definition; conditioning implementation upon receipt of required payments; providing for funding; and providing for an effective date. PASSED SENATE IN HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE
S.F. No. 0062 Emergency medical technicians. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to emergency medical technicians; creating a volunteer emergency medical technician pension fund as specified; providing for administration; providing for training of ambulance attendants and physician medical directors; granting rulemaking authority; providing appropriations; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN SENATE
S.F. No. 0085 Health care reform-pilot project. Sponsored by: SCOTT AN ACT relating to health insurance; providing for an experimental health care insurance reform pool; providing for a plan design commission; providing for design of a benefits package under the reform pool; providing for eligibility; providing definitions; providing for a report; providing for a repeal date; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date. APPROVED BY SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, ON FINAL READING IN SENATE
BILLS THAT FAILED
H.B. No. 0002 Alcohol taxes to treat substance abuse. Sponsored by: Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AN ACT relating to taxation and public health; increasing a tax on alcohol; providing for earmarking of funds for substance abuse programs; appropriating funds and providing for future budgeting of earmarked funds; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0035 Underage drinking. Sponsored by: GINGERY AN ACT relating to alcohol; creating an offense for persons under age twenty-one (21) years who attempt or gain admittance to liquor dispensing rooms or drive-in liquor areas as specified; expanding offenses for persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years who possess or consume alcohol; providing penalties; providing for prima facie evidence; providing a definition; limiting possession or consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years in the presence of a parent or guardian as specified; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0041 Cigarette wholesalers. Sponsored by: LANDON AN ACT relating to taxation and revenue; amending the discount of cigarette stamps sold to wholesalers as specified; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0047 Long term care access. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the Wyoming Long Term Care Choices Act; authorizing a statewide network of aging and disability resource centers as specified; granting rulemaking authority; authorizing amendments to the state Medicaid plan; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0058 Safety belt violations. Sponsored by: IEKEL AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; removing restriction on stopping motor vehicles solely for safety belt violations; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0087 Smoke free-enclosed public places. Sponsored by: MILLIN AN ACT relating to public health and safety; prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places as specified; requiring posting of public notices; providing definitions; providing exceptions; granting rulemaking authority; providing penalties; authorizing local regulation; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0093 Universal health insurance. Sponsored by: ESQUIBEL,F AN ACT relating to public health and insurance; providing for Wyoming health care commission to solicit and review proposals for expanded health insurance coverage as specified; requiring a report; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0094 Use of wireless communications devices while driving. Sponsored by: ESQUIBEL,F AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; prohibiting the use of wireless communications devices while driving; providing exceptions; providing definitions; providing penalties; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0095 Costs of emergency detention and hospitalization. Sponsored by: WARREN AN ACT relating to emergency detention costs; limiting authority to seek recovery of costs from patients as specified; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; removing restriction on stopping motor vehicles solely for safety belt violations; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0070 Distracted driving. Sponsored by: ESQUIBEL,F AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; prohibiting the use of wireless communications devices by specified licensees while driving; providing exceptions; providing definitions; providing penalties; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0138 Denturists licensing board. Sponsored by: QUARBERG AN ACT relating to the licensure of denturists; creating a board of denturists; regulating the practice of denturism; providing for licensing, fees, examinations and other regulation of denturists; repealing prohibition on soliciting for denturism services; providing criminal penalties for violations of denturist act; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0140 Optional alcoholic beverage tax. Sponsored by: PHILP AN ACT relating to taxation and revenue; providing for the optional imposition of an excise tax on liquor as specified; providing for procedures; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0144 Speech pathologists-national certification. Sponsored by: MEYER AN ACT relating to education, providing reimbursement for speech pathologists who obtain national certification; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
H.B. No. 0172 Homicide during pregnancy. Sponsored by: HARSHMAN AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; establishing the offense of involuntary termination of pregnancy; imposing a penalty; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0014 Small employer health insurance. Sponsored by: CASE AN ACT relating to the small employer health insurance availability act; limiting applicability of the act based upon employer payment of premiums; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0034 State health and social welfare institutions. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the administration of government; providing for a study of the state's health and social welfare institutions; creating a select legislative committee on state institutions; creating a governor's planning committee on state institutions; prescribing duties of the committees; requiring reports; authorizing temporary positions; providing appropriations; providing for a delayed repeal date; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0035 Physician and dentist recruitment. Sponsored by: Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee AN ACT relating to health care services; providing a grant program for physician recruitment; providing grant eligibility and payment conditions; granting rulemaking authority; repealing a local matching funds requirement for the physician and dentist loan repayment program; providing appropriation. FAILED
S.F. No. 0059 DUI-mandatory hold upon arrest. Sponsored by: LANDEN AN ACT relating to driving under the influence; requiring a person suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol to be arrested and detained as specified; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0072 Hospitalization of mentally ill-amendments. Sponsored by: COOPER AN ACT relating to the mentally ill; amending immunity provisions for specified personnel who deal with persons in emergency detention; amending a definition; requiring that specified rules of the Wyoming state hospital be adopted in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act; authorizing specified licensed practitioners to review findings of an examiner, when indicated; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0073 Restroom access-medical conditions. Sponsored by: BEBOUT AN ACT relating to public health and safety; creating the restroom facility access card program as specified; granting card holders access to restroom facilities in all retail businesses as specified; granting rulemaking authority; providing a penalty; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0074 Traditional birth care. Sponsored by: JOHNSON AN ACT relating to the Medical Practice Act; providing an exemption from the Medical Practice Act for the practice of midwifery; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0078 Prescription drug practices. Sponsored by: MOCKLER AN ACT relating to prescription drug practices; creating a fiduciary duty for pharmacy benefit managers; requiring pharmacy benefit managers to pass on any benefits or payments received from drug manufacturers to covered individuals; providing for disclosure of financial information; providing penalties; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0090 Workers' compensation-mental injury. Sponsored by: HASTERT AN ACT relating to workers' compensation; amending the definition of injury to authorize coverage of a mental injury as specified; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0091 Welfare drug screening. Sponsored by: BEBOUT AN ACT relating to welfare; providing for drug screening; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0092 Medical necessity in insurance contracts. Sponsored by: SESSIONS AN ACT relating to insurance; defining medical necessity; setting requirements for analyzing insurance coverage and benefit payments under a medical necessity standard; setting requirements for denying payment or coverage; allowing the insurance commissioner to request, collect and analyze data; and providing for an effective date. FAILED
S.F. No. 0093 Child care facilities certification. Sponsored by: PERKINS AN ACT relating to child care facilities; providing an exception to certification requirements; and providing for an effective date. FAILED |