Legislative Days 6-9 (of 40)
- Governor Unveils Tort Package
- Committees begin deliberations
- GAPA meets with legislators
This week, legislators worked in session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Next week, they will once again be in session Monday through Thursday, legislative days 10-13 of 40. This obviously means that after Monday, we will be one quarter of the way through the legislative session with a tremendous amount of work to be done.
GAPA Hill Day
On Thursday, members of GAPA and the PA community joined together to provide education and advocacy to members of the General Assembly regarding the PA profession as well as issues important to us. If you missed it, I encourage you to keep an eye out for next year’s hill day. Our success depends on your active participation!
Tort Reform
It was an exceedingly busy and exciting week on the tort rebalancing side. On Thursday morning, Governor Kemp held a jam-packed press conference outlining his reform package.
Standing alongside Lt Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Burns, Commissioner King, and leaders and regular citizens representing all walks of life, the governor said, “it is clear the status quo is unacceptable, unsustainable, and jeopardizes our state’s prosperity in the years to come.” Lt Governor Jones added, “we have to work together to ensure that we put families and consumers first by tackling the hidden costs we all pay thanks to Georgia’s current tort laws.” Speaker Burns reflected, “our current legal environment is in need of common sense reform.” A few hours after the press conference, Senator John Kennedy introduced SBs 68 and 69 on behalf of the governor.
Committee Action
HB 36 adding classifications of providers (including PAs) who can participate in adult guardianship hearings passed committee.
New Bills
PA
HB 144: This bill increases the value of the medical preceptor tax credit for MDs, PAs, APRNs, and Dentists.
Health Insurance
HB 94: This bill creates an insurance mandate for services and related expenses for fertility preservation when a medically necessary treatment for: cancer, lupus, or sickle cell may directly or indirectly cause fertility impairment.
HB 124: This bill provides for mandatory insurance coverage for PANS and PANDAS.
Medicaid
HB 97 This bill expands medicaid for individuals between 19 and 65 years of age who are at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.
HB 102: This bill requires CMOs to report data to a created “Georgia Quality Reporting Project” whose purpose will be to foster: higher quality care at lower prices while increasing access to clinical trials.
HB 178 requires DCH to submit an 1115 waiver to CMS for a demonstration project to provide treatment services to persons with HIV under medicaid.
Health Generally
HB 96: This bill increases the tobacco tax to the national average. The rate would adjust annually.
HB 149: This bill creates a 3-year pilot program for the establishment of a mobile clinic to provide postpartum care in certain counties.
HB 109: This bill creates a 5-year pilot program for the establishment of EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric: Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) units within hospitals.
HR 72: This resolution creates a study committee (including non legislative members) to look at screening rates, the economic impact of cancer centers, medical education, and workforce needs in the area of cancer care.
HB 197: This bill stipulates that any review of medical necessity and needed review shall include processes and numbers for contacting the treating provider or his or her designee, implementing a callback telecommunications system, or the use of a public website whereby such provider or designee may elect to receive a scheduled communication at a later time in the event that a clinical peer is not available.
General Business
HB 111: This bill, by Governor Kemp, lowers the state income tax from the current 5.39% to 5.19%.
HB 112: This bill, by Governor Kemp, provides a one time tax credit from $250-$500 to individuals and families.