SB 241 - Concussion Protocol/County Recreation
SB 241 - Concussion Protocol/County Recreation
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Don Davis (D-Pitt), Sen Ralph Hise (R-Madison), Sen. Joyce Kraweic (R-Forsyth)
Bill Summary
This bill states that a county or municipal recreation must take precautions to ensure the safety and well being of activity participants.
The bill requires providing concussion awareness information and a response protocol plan.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed in the Senate on March 13, 2019.
This bill was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on March 14, 2019.
SB 277 - Huntersville Ocular Melanoma Study Funds
SB 277 - Huntersville Ocular Melanoma Study Funds
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg)
Bill Summary
This bill would appropriate $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to be used to study and abate the cause of frequent cases of ocular melanoma in the Huntersville area.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on March 14, 2019.
HB 358 - Community Paramedicine Program/Funds
HB 358 - Community Paramedicine Program/Funds
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Josh Dobson (R-Avery), Rep. Holly Grange (R-New Hanover), Rep. Hugh Blackell (R-Burke), Rep. Brian Turner (D-Buncombe)
Bill Summary
This bill would establish a community paramedicine program within the Department of Health and Human Services. This bill would appropriate $700,000 in recurring funds for both fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The following counties could use this funding:
- McDowell
- Wake
- New Hanover
The bill states that up to $70,000 could be used for an additional site.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on March 13, 2019.
HB 318 - Opioid Prescription & Treatment Opt Out
HB 318 - Opioid Prescription & Treatment Opt Out
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg), Rep. Mary Ann Black (D-Durham), Rep. Josh Dobson (R-Avery), Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston)
Bill Summary
This bill would allow patients to elect nonopioid prescriptions and treatment. The bill would establish a process by which patients may opt out of opioid prescriptions and treatment.
The bill would require DHHS to develop and make available a form for patients to voluntarily opt out of opioid prescriptions and treatment.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on March 7, 2019.
This bill was referred to the following House Committees:
- Health
- Insurance
- Rules
HB 335 - Reduce Waitlist for HCCBG Services/Funds
HB 335 - Reduce Waitlist for HCCBG Services/Funds
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston), Rep. Josh Dobson (R-Avery), Rep. Larry Potts (R-Davidson)
Bill Summary
This bill would appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services to reduce the waitlist for Home and Community Care Block Grant services statewide.
The bill appropriates $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2019-20, and $7,000,000 for 2020-21.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on March 12, 2019.
Joint Health and Human Services Committee - Telemedicine
The Joint House and Senate Health Appropriations Committees met on March 12, 2019.
Telemedicine
Dr. Robert Park, Director of Telemedicine for Wake Emergency Physicians, PA provided the Committee an overview of their use of RelyMD.
Dr. Park noted that this product could be used in the following use cases:
- EMS Transports
- Nursing Homes/Assisted Living
- Rural Areas
- Schools
- Prison Systems
He noted that behavioral health providers were leading the charge in telemedicine.
He stated that the legislature could be helpful in incentivizing telemedicine services by passing a bill to require payment parity.
Child Welfare/Behavioral Health Pilot
John Eller, County Manager, Davie County Government provided the Committee an overview of their partnership with the Forsyth County Department of Social Services.
Victor Isler, Director of the Forsyth County Department of Social Services
SB 20 - Emergency Worker Protection Act
SB 20 - Emergency Worker Protection Act
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Danny Britt (R-Columbus), Sen. Deanna Ballard (R), Sen. Tom McInnis (R- Anson)
Bill Summary
This bill would change the felony charge given to assaults on law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, medical responders, and hospital personnel. The bill also adds a misdemeanor charge for someone who threatens to commit an act of violence against a public safety worker.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on February 6, 2018. This bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 7, 2019.
This bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 6, 2019.
This bill passed in the Senate Rules Committee March 6, 2019.
The bill will now move to the Senate floor.
SB 106 - Clarify Limited Immunity/Overdose Victims
SB 106 - Clarify Limited Immunity/Overdose Victims
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg), Sen. Jim Davis (R-Cherokee), Sen. Danny Britt (R-Columbus)
Bill Summary
This bill extends limited immunity for individuals seeking medical assistance including when that person is the same individual who experienced the drug related overdose.
Bill Movement
This bill was filed on February 21, 2019.
This bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 26, 2019.
This bill passed Senate Judiciary Committee on March 6, 2019.
This bill passed the Senate Rules Committee on March 7, 2019.
Governor's Budget Proposal Health Overview
The Governor released his budget proposal to the NCGA on March 7, 2019.
Here are some highlights from the Health and Human Services portion.
Expand and Transform Medicaid
- Cover 626,000 additional individuals
- 500,000 individuals in the first year
- $5 Billion in direct spending into the state
- Transform Medicaid and Health Choice from fee for service to managed care by leveraging $268M of Medicaid Transformation Reserve
Pre-K and Early Childhood
- Funds 3,200 additional Pre-k slots
- $15 million for Smart Start Program (10% increase)
- $1.1 million additional funding to improve child welfare training
- $3 million additional to expand evidenced based family preservation services
Opioid Treatment
- $15 million of Medicaid funding to expand treatment for opioid use disorders
Healthier Families
- $1 million for local Food Banks
Youth Mental Health
- $40 million for flexible funding to hire school nurses, counselors, psychologists, social workers and school resource officers
Child Nutrition
- Eliminates student co-pay for reduced priced meals
- Provides free meals for up to an additional 115,000 ($5 million)
Broadband Connectivity
- $30 million to increase access and improve service to underserved households, businesses, and community anchor institutions
Water Supply
- $6.4 million in funding to support the identification and regulation of emerging compounds
Relocation of DHHS
- $258 million to relocate DHHS from Dorthea Dix Park
Joint Health Appropriations Committee
The Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee met on March 6, 2019.
Central Management Base Budget Overview
Denise Thomas, Fiscal Research provided the Committee with an update. She stated that the total DHHS budget for all purchased services and aid is around $20 billion. $18 billion is budgeted for purchased services and aid and assistance.
She added that there was also a base budget increase in the Community Health Grant Program from $7,500,000 to $15,000. This funding could be used for capital improvements to provide direct patient care.
She noted that the State Loan Repayment Programs were combined and the use expanded to include incentives for general surgeons practicing in critical access hospitals. The program also includes providers using telemedicine in rural and underserved areas.
Sam Gibbs, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Operations provided IT updates on NCTracks, NC FAST, Medicaid Transformation, and CSRS.
Kody Kinsley, Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and IDD, provided the Committee with an overview of the Broughton Hospital updates. The project is expected to start on April 15, 2019. The physical relocation of patients and anticipated staff anticipated early September 2019.