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Legislative Update & Advocacy Alert: Certificate of Need Reform
Bills to reform or eliminate Certificate of Need (CON) have been filed in both the state House and state Senate. Currently, North Carolina has the third most restrictive CON laws in the nation. Reform of these laws will reduce health care costs and, in some instances, increase access to care. The NCOA supports both bills.
Contact your state representative and state senator now and urge them to support House Bill 200 and Senate Bill 702.
House Bill 200 (HB 200) was introduced by Rep. Marilyn Avila (Wake) and would reform CON laws.
HB200 eliminates the CON requirement for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs):
- ASCs can be owned by physicians, hospitals, for profit companies or a partnership any of the three.
- This elimination does not hurt rural hospitals because there is a prohibition of these ASCs in counties with 100,000 or less in population unless the hospital approves.
- Requires a 7% charity care for the new ASCs.
HB200 eliminates the CON requirement for diagnostic centers:
- Physicians will be treated like other providers regarding diagnostic equipment like CT scanners, mammography and ultrasound.
- North Carolina is the only state in the country that has this requirement only for physician offices.
HB200 eliminates the CON requirement for psychiatric beds:
- Because of low reimbursement there has been little interest in applying for this CON.
- This elimination removes an unneeded regulatory hurdle.
Senate Bill 702 (SB 702) was introduced by Sen. Tom Apodaca (Henderson) and eliminates CON laws altogether.
Currently, 24 states have no CON laws and other states are considering similar measures. Elimination of CON laws adds competition to the health care system and allows free-market solutions to reduce costs.
If you took part in this action alert, please let us know by reporting your name, legislators contacted and feedback received, if any. Report Here.
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Medicaid Reform Update Webinar, April 16
As you’ve likely gathered from recent coverage and discussion, Medicaid reform continues to be a BIG issue of debate at the N.C. General Assembly. And, the wide divide between the competing proposals does not seem to be narrowing.
To give you an idea of how expansive the issue has grown, a recent article in the Winston-Salem Journal notes all the various bills impacting Medicaid that have been introduced thus far. Debate on any of these of these measures has yet to be placed on the calendar, so it is still too soon to tell how the discussion will play out.
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) continues to provide leadership on this issue, and the NCMS recently hosted a summit of provider organizations and individuals to help bring the community together with the goal of developing a shared vision for Medicaid reform in North Carolina. NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Chip Baggett, notes that there is still some work to be done. You can follow Chip on Twitter using the handle @doclobbyist.
The NCMS Foundation and the North Carolina Medical Group Managers invite you to participate in a webinar to discuss the latest updates on Medicaid reform and other legislative issues being discussed by the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2015 long session. This FREE webinar is planned for Thursday, April 16, at 12 noon.
Legislative Update - Medicaid Reform
featuring Jennifer Gasperini
Director of Health Policy,
North Carolina Medical Society
April 16, 2015 ~ 12:00 pm to 1:00pm
Thank you for your support.
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Physicians Mobilize to Maintain Health Care Quality in NC
The NCOA urges you to join the North Carolina Coalition to Protect Patients and TAKE ACTION TODAY in response to recently introduced legislation that would remove the physician supervision requirements for many non-physician practitioners. Multiple bills filed at the North Carolina General Assembly this session would do just that.
Among the most aggressive of these proposals is one introduced by Senator Ralph Hise, SB 695, Modernize Nursing Practice Act, which enhances the already broad authority of the North Carolina Board of Nursing. SB 695 proposes to include adding advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure for nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists. Here’s a snapshot of the bill text:
The section highlighted above, "Collaborating with other health care providers," equates to independent practice! The value of physician supervision and the contributions to patient safety made by physicians are being questioned. Please contact your legislator and tell them the important role of physician supervision in protecting patients in our healthcare system.
Take Action Now >>
When it comes to protecting North Carolina patients, there’s no sense arguing over who can provide the highest quality of care. The best solution is for healthcare professionals to continue working together under the leadership and supervision of a trained physician. That’s why the NCOA, the NCMS and a dozen physician specialty societies have formed the North Carolina Coalition to Protect Patients.
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Rep. Marilyn Avila pulled the winning names at a March 11 press conference.
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Drs. Matthew Gullickson and Yates Dunaway Win Membership Raffle
Congratulations to Matthew A. Gullickson, MD (Matthews) and H. Yates Dunaway, III, MD (Charlotte) for winning this year's Renew to Win membership promotion. They were chosen from among 345 NCOA members included in the random drawing for two amazing prizes. Dr. Gullickson won a Harmon Kardon Esquire Mini bluetooth portable speaker and Dr. Dunaway won a Bose SoundTrue in-ear headphones.
Rep. Marilyn Avila (Wake) drew the names on March 11 following a press conference at the N.C. General Assembly at which she announced the introduction of Certificate of Need (CON) legislation. Rep. Avila is an advocate of CON reform and a primary sponsor of the House bill. If your membership has expired, please take a moment to renew your NCOA membership today.
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April 22, Orthopaedic White Coat Wednesday in Raleigh
With so much at stake, you can't afford to miss this year's White Coat Wednesday, April 22, in Raleigh!
NCOA members are mobilizing to impact the discussion surrounding Certificate of Need reform, Medicaid reform and other critical health policy issues in 2015. Every NCOA member is encouraged to join us in Raleigh on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, for an advocacy briefing at the NC Medical Society (NCMS) and meetings with legislators and legislative committee hearings at the NC General Assembly. This event is presented jointly by the NCOA and the NCMS.
Preliminary schedule for Wednesday, April 22:
- 7:30 AM – 7:45 AM Arrival @ NCMS Headquarters (222 N. Person Street, Raleigh)
- 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM Issue Briefing with NCMS and NCOA Lobbyists
- 8:30 AM Depart for Legislative Building
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Meetings with Legislators & Committee Hearings
- 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Debrief & lunch @ NCMS Headquarters
- Afternoon Optional additional meetings with legislators and attend House/Senate
Please RSVP for this event by email to Denna Suko, dsuko@ncmedsoc.org
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2015 NCOA Annual Meeting, Oct. 9-11
Add this event to your calendar.
Save the date! Start planning now to attend the 2015 NCOA Annual Meeting, Oct. 9-11, at the luxurious Kiawah Island Golf Resort. For room reservations, contact the resort at 1-800-654-2924.
The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9-11, 2015, at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C. ---> # 1 Island in North America / #2 Island in the World – Conde Nast Traveler * # 2 American Beach Resort - Conde Nast Traveler * #3 Family Resort in the U.S. – Travel + Leisure * America's Best Golf Resort - Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence * # 1 Tennis Resort in the U.S. seven of the last nine years - TennisResortsOnline.
Don't get left out in sand!
Call 1-800-654-2924 for room reservations TODAY!
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