Alert: Take Action to Stop Access-Crushing Hospital Outpatient Payment Bill

Issue:For the second straight week, legislation attempting to outlaw hospital outpatient payments is making progress, posing a threat to the future of outpatient clinics across the state. This time, it’s Senate Bill 1275 by Sen. Kelly Hancock, which is now scheduled to be heard this Wednesday in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. The bill’s companion, House Bill 1692…

Alert: Take Action to Stop Bill That Would Stunt Access to Care

Issue:A Texas bill that would outlaw hospital payments provided for care off the hospital’s campus is gaining troublesome traction, posing a threat to the future of outpatient clinics across the state. That bill, House Bill 1692 by Rep. James Frank, will be heard this Thursday in the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform. Passage of this bill would dismantle…

Alert: Act Now to Oppose Harmful Rate-Capping Legislation

The Texas Hospital Association is urgently asking hospitals to oppose House Bill 633 (Rep. James Frank) because it would force hospitals and physicians to provide care at a rate defined by the government. Contact: Jennifer Banda, J.D., senior vice president, advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1046, [email protected] Duncan, J.D, vice president, advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1539, [email protected] Hearing Set for This…

Alert: Facility Fees & Itemized Bills: Act Now to Help Prevent Harmful Legislation

THA is asking hospital leaders to fill out a quick survey to help arm the Texas hospital industry with critical information to prevent negative bills — related to facility fees and itemized bills — from becoming law. Contact: Jennifer Banda, J.D., senior vice president, advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1046, [email protected] Duncan, J.D, vice president, advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1539, [email protected]…

Alert: Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement to End March 31

Starting in April, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will begin the process of unwinding continuous Medicaid coverage for patients who had it as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Patients hoping they’ll still be eligible for Medicaid going forward need to take action, and hospitals and providers can play a key role in letting…

Alert: Budget Bills Would Fund Workforce, Other Top THA Priorities

The starting points for Texas’ budget for the next two years – as filed last week in each chamber of the Texas Legislature – include sizable, Texas Hospital Association-recommended commitments to the state’s health care workforce needs, a better-than-anticipated boost for a key loan repayment program that helps mental health access, and level funding for Medicaid. Contact: Anna Stelter, senior…

Alert: Friday Deadline: Public Hospitals Urged to Submit HARP Letters of Intent

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission urgently requests public hospitals to submit letters of intent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to participate in the public Hospital Augmented Reimbursement Program (HARP). The intent letters will be used by HHSC as part of a response to a recent information request from CMS. CMS is currently weighing whether to…

Alert: Hospitals Urged to Submit Comments on Price Transparency Rules

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued proposed informal rules for comment implementing Senate Bill 1137, the Texas hospital price transparency law. Under the law, hospitals must publicly post on the internet detailed pricing information. The rules provide new guidance on how HHSC intends to interpret and enforce the bill. One of the bill’s requirements is to prominently display…

Alert: Update on Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

June 30, 2022 Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Note to Members: Following last Friday’s alert on this matter, THA is issuing a revised alert regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision related to abortion. The revision relates to the effective date of the Texas trigger law. HB 1280 goes into effect 30 days from the issuance of a…

Alert: Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

June 24, 2022 Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) and upending five decades of constitutional protection of a woman’s right to have an abortion. The court noted that abortion “presents…