Legislative Days 23-25 (of 40)
PA ratio bill advances
This week, legislators worked in session Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While Monday, Presidents’ Day, is typically a holiday, the House held a number of hearings. Next week, legislators will be in session Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, days 26-28. Thursday is ‘crossover day’ the final day for all bills to pass from one chamber to the other in order to continue to be viable as stand alone bills. This past week, while short, was quite intense. There were multiple instances where bills were introduced and heard in committee the same day. The intensity will surely continue next week.
Appropriations
The Senate passed their version of the amended budget. Given there are a few differences of opinion, the House and Senate immediately appointed a conference committee (not unusual) to work out their differences. There is a meeting of the Conference Committee on Monday.
Moving Forward
SB 460, allowing delegating/ supervising physicians to enter into nurse protocol agreements or PA job descriptions with a combined equivalent of 8 PAs and APRNs, passed committee. This bill will provide flexibility to many facilities.
New Bills
HB1332 seeks to limit any policy of healthcare facilities which limit certain patient visits.
HB 1339, the House CON bill, relaxes certain Certificate of Need provisions and creates a Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission to look at medicaid expansion options.
HB 1363 This bill requires the state to conduct a pharmacy study. Based on the findings of the study, it could trigger a specific reimbursement scheme.(for self administered medications)
HB 1352 requires prescribers to provide patients receiving opioids with specific information (risks, warnings, cost/benefit etc). There are exceptions for patients getting: cancer care, palliative care, hospice, or medications for substance abuse treatment.
HB 1364 stipulates that if you prohibit guns on your property, you are assuming complete responsibility for the safety of individuals on your property, and therefore dramatically increasing your tort liability.
HB 1371 reflects the current status of the negotiations between business and the trial lawyers on premises liability reforms.
HR 1232 urges Georgia to pursue importing prescription drugs from Canada in an effort to lower drug costs.
HB 1352 requires prescribers to provide patients receiving opioids with specific information (risks, warnings, cost/benefit etc). There are exceptions for patients getting: cancer care, palliative care, hospice, or medications for substance abuse treatment.