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Nelson's Medicaid quality initiative advances
From staff reports
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on Wednesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 7 by Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to redesign the Medicaid long-term care system for individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as Texans 60 and older.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
"We cannot continue to fund the same inefficient, unsustainable Medicaid system and expect a different result, especially given the significant increases in our populations of seniors and individuals with developmental disabilities – who are living longer, healthier lives than ever before," Nelson said. "SB 7 ensures that those currently being served continue to be served – but in a more efficient, coordinated manner. It also lays the groundwork to extend services to those currently waiting for them."
· Providing basic attendant and habilitation services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities currently waiting for services;
· Directing the Health and Human Services Commission to implement a new functional assessment tool that will more accurately assess service needs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
· Ensuring that all individuals with disabilities eligible for acute care services receive those services in a coordinated manner through a managed care plan;
· Establishing a long-term plan for piloting and delivering services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through managed care;
· Expanding STAR+PLUS to the Medicaid Rural Service Area;
· Transitioning nursing facility services into STAR+PLUS;
· Allowing for the development of additional housing supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
· Establishing behavioral intervention teams to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities avoid institutionalization; and
· Expanding on quality-based payment initiatives, including for managed care organizations and providers of long-term services and supports.
By improving services for Texans with disabilities, the Legislative Budget Board assumes a reduction in acute care costs. That savings, along with a budget strategy being pursued by Nelson to add $45 million to the base budget, will help bring services to an estimated 12,000 Texans currently waiting for them.
Tuesday, the committee also unanimously approved SB 126 to require the Department of State Health Services to create a public reporting system to allow the public to view and compare performance and outcome measures among community mental health and substance abuse providers. "We invest a significant amount of taxpayer dollars in our community mental health and substance abuse programs, and it is imperative that the public can see how these resources are used and what outcomes are resulting from our investment," Nelson said.
Nelson represents District 12, including portions of Tarrant and Denton Counties. She is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
PrimaryCaregiver wrote on Feb 28, 2013 12:38 PM:
" Why don't you tell us what "Mananged Care" includes and highlight some differences for those of us that currently are receiving assistance through the CLASS program? Would the support for funding therapies, in-home care, respit, special equipment and supplies be the same? "
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