Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee- House
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Bills discussed (40)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1255
Act 1011
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…HE CHAIR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1255 Dotson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LICENSING, REGISTRATION,…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LICENSING, REGISTRATION, AND CERTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN PROFESSIONS; AND TO ESTABLISH … | Dotson | Notification that HB1255 is now Act 1011 |
|
SB519
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 4-9-2019, 8:05 a.m.) Added SB519 House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Tuesda…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1060
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ITY TO PRACTICE WITHOUT A COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AGREEMENT. HB1060 Lynch TO ESTABLISH AND REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEA…”
|
TO ESTABLISH AND REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION LICENSEES. | Lynch | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1102
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1102 Sullivan TO ADDRESS THE UNDERSERVED STATUS OF A COUNTY AS A…”
|
TO ADDRESS THE UNDERSERVED STATUS OF A COUNTY AS A REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION … | Sullivan | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1164
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1164 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE A PHARMACIST TO DISPENSE ORAL CONTR…”
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TO AUTHORIZE A PHARMACIST TO DISPENSE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION. | Pilkington | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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HB1232
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1232 Lowery TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING AUTHORIZED PAYROLL DEDUCT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING AUTHORIZED PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS OF UNION DUES FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO … | Lowery | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1265
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…AND TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION FOR NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING. HB1265 M. Gray TO AUTHORIZE FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY TO…”
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TO AUTHORIZE FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES WHO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. | M. Gray | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1274
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE AS A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. HB1274 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NUR…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO HAS SERVED A RURAL COMMUNITY TO PRACTICE … | Pilkington | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1283
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…IST TO DISPENSE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION. HB1283 Gonzales TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF CERTIFIED…”
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TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHESIA"; TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE … | Gonzales | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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HB1284
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NURSE ANESTHETIST; AND TO REMOVE SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS. HB1284 Gonzales TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO RECO…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE AS A … | Gonzales | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1323
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1323 D. Douglas TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF LONG-TERM CARE NOT TO A…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF LONG-TERM CARE NOT TO ADOPT RULES OR STANDARDS THAT ARE … | D. Douglas | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1334
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1334 Maddox TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER THE A…”
|
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM; TO REMOVE A … | Maddox | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1451
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…HE DEFINITION OF "PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE". Page 2 of 3 HB1451 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AND TO EXCLUDE CHILD SUPPORT … | A. Collins | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1528
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1528 Womack TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LI…”
|
TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LIMIT FOR DRUG TESTING AND X-RAYS. | Womack | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1536
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1536 D. Douglas TO CREATE THE COMPASSIONATE CARE END-OF-LIFE OPT…”
|
TO CREATE THE COMPASSIONATE CARE END-OF-LIFE OPTION ACT; AND TO EXEMPT THE COMPASSIONATE CARE END-OF-LIFE … | D. Douglas | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1743
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1743 Bentley TO PROMOTE THE PURCHASE OF HEALTHY PRODUCTS WITH SU…”
|
TO PROMOTE THE PURCHASE OF HEALTHY PRODUCTS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS. | Bentley | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1771
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ANSION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2019; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1771 V. Flowers TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS LITTER REDUCTION AND D…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS LITTER REDUCTION AND DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING ACT; TO REQUIRE THE … | V. Flowers | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1840
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…D PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY. HB1840 D. Douglas TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER T…”
|
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM TO ONE THOUSAND … | D. Douglas | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1857
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1857 Womack TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LI…”
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TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LIMIT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. | Womack | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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HB1864
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1864 D. Ferguson TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY A…”
|
TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT; AND … | D. Ferguson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1882
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1882 L. Johnson TO INCREASE ANNUAL FEES FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSUR…”
|
TO INCREASE ANNUAL FEES FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSURE FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE … | L. Johnson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1929
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1929 Miller TO CREATE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2…”
|
TO CREATE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2019; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Miller | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1946
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. HB1946 D. Ferguson TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF CERTAIN EVENTS RELATED…”
|
TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF CERTAIN EVENTS RELATED TO OFFICE-BASED SURGERY. | D. Ferguson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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HB1948
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…MENTS FROM GROSS INCOME USED FOR ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION. HB1948 Perry TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING SOLID WASTE LICENSING FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING SOLID WASTE LICENSING FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, MODERNIZATION, AND FLEXIBILITY … | Perry | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1952
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…EPORTING OF CERTAIN EVENTS RELATED TO OFFICE-BASED SURGERY. HB1952 M. Gray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHYSICIAN ORDER FOR LIFE-SUST…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHYSICIAN ORDER FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT ACT. | M. Gray | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1966
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS. HB1966 A. Collins TO REINSTATE COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS WORKS PROG…”
|
TO REINSTATE COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS WORKS PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO LOST COVERAGE DUE TO … | A. Collins | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
SB295
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OF THE FEDERAL COURT DECISION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. SB295 K. Hammer TO PROMOTE THE COLLECTION OF LABOR MARKET DATA; A…”
|
TO PROMOTE THE COLLECTION OF LABOR MARKET DATA; AND TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN … | K. Hammer | Recommended for study in the Interim Committee on … |
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SB546
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB546 K. Hammer TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APP…”
|
TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO … | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
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HB1275
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION LICENSEES. HB1275 Richey TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT. HB1649 Su…”
|
TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT. | Richey | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1282
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1282 Lundstrum TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A MANDATORY COLLABO…”
|
TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A MANDATORY COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AGREEMENT FOR AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED … | Lundstrum | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1289
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LIMIT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HB1289 B. Smith TO CREATE THE MEDICAL CONSCIENCE PROTECTION ACT. H…”
|
TO CREATE THE MEDICAL CONSCIENCE PROTECTION ACT. | B. Smith | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1301
Act 426
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l earlier in the session, we had kind of two similar bills, HB 1301 by Representative Cozart. That has become an”
|
TO CREATE THE RED TAPE REDUCTION EXPEDITED TEMPORARY AND PROVISIONAL LICENSURE ACT; TO AUTHORIZE OCCUPATIONAL … | Cozart | Notification that HB1301 is now Act 426 |
|
HB1642
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1642 Warren TO AMEND THE LAWS REGARDING COSMETOLOGY AND OTHER RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS REGARDING COSMETOLOGY AND OTHER RELATED OCCUPATIONS; AND TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION … | Warren | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1649
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1649 Sullivan TO PROVIDE FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATIENT CHOICE AN…”
|
TO PROVIDE FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATIENT CHOICE AND PROMOTE QUALITY OF CARE AS A REQUIREMENT … | Sullivan | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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HB1696
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1696 Gonzales TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT OF 2006…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT OF 2006; AND TO ALLOW PRIVATELY OWNED … | Gonzales | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1806
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EQUIRE DIAPER CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS IN CERTAIN BUILDINGS. HB1806 McCullough TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS EQUAL PAY ACT OF 2019.…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS EQUAL PAY ACT OF 2019. | McCullough | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1823
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1823 Ladyman TO REQUIRE EMPLOYEES OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS…”
|
TO REQUIRE EMPLOYEES OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS TO BE IMMUNIZED OR VACCINATED AGAINST HEPATITIS A … | Ladyman | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1923
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…McCullough TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS EQUAL PAY ACT OF 2019. HB1923 McCollum TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID WORKFORCE ACT OF 2…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID WORKFORCE ACT OF 2019. | McCollum | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
|
HB1951
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES THE OPTION TO PROHIBIT SMOKING. HB1951 M. Gray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTHCARE DECISIONS ACT. HB1…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTHCARE DECISIONS ACT. | M. Gray | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment |
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SB443
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…UBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. SB443 B. Davis TO REQUIRE DIAPER CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS IN CERTA…”
|
TO REQUIRE DIAPER CHANGING ACCOMMODATIONS IN CERTAIN BUILDINGS. | B. Davis | Sine Die adjournment |
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I need to get back over there. So I know I said we weren't going to meet again, but the Senate passed some things yesterday that we need to look at. So the first thing on the agenda is to concur with Senate Amendment on Bill HB 1255. Representative Dodson, are you ready to
Representative Jim Dotson
Unverified
0:19
present that? I am, Mr. Chair. You're recognized. The concurrence on this amendment basically takes this bill, which formerly was all brand new language. And if you recall earlier in the session, we had kind of two similar bills, HB 1301 by Representative Cozart. That has become an
act at this point. And so the Senate amendment aligns the language between the two of them. So this bill wouldn't overwrite that one. It moves the legislative intent section out of section one and puts it over into section two. And for the most part, it's just clean up, renumbering of things to make both of those two bills align at this point. So that's what the amendment, the Senate amendment did. Any questions on the amendment?
Ready to close? I'm closed and just appreciate a good vote. What's the will of the committee? I have a motion by Representative Boyd to concur on the amendment. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Motion carries. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members. Okay, committee, we do have a Senate bill, SB 519,
that was passed out of the Senate yesterday and went on to our agenda. Senator Hammer is next door in education. He told me he would be here at 1030. I'll tell you what, we'll recess for just a few minutes. Give him a few minutes to get over here to present his bill. If he doesn't come in a few minutes, we'll go
ahead and adjourn, but we'll give him a few minutes. Thank you.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:12
Mr. Chair, could I get some on the Senate in? We are not as sophisticated as y'all are on this. Never mind, I found it.
Yeah, it should be on there. There's an amendment that is engrossed, I think. That's what I want
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:41
to make sure is that the amendment is showing as being engrossed, correct?
Yes, that's correct. So we're not having to vote the amendment. Thank you. Yeah, you are correct. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to make sure before I start presenting. All right, so, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, let me start off by this way. why would we be sitting here trying to assist the community mental health centers? In case you do not know, the community mental health centers are that service that provide, whether they can bill
the Medicaid portion or not, they provide the mental health services to those who do not have insurance in their communities where they're located. And there's about 14 of them throughout the state and so these are the the last stop and and the population that they deal with are those in the community that need mental health services and maybe do not have the insurance to cover it but we need to make sure that they get the services that they need so through contract the community mental health centers are the ones that provide that the other thing that the community
mental health centers do or these are the folks that when you you know when they get a call in the night to come to the county jail and assess somebody that's been arrested they're the ones that come and do the assessment to determine what level of care, what level of services they need, which would hopefully mean that they could, you know, be released into the community with the resources and access to the resources that they need. Community mental health services were also the group that had to step in when another provider of significant name that was in the news, you know, went away overnight.
They were the ones that also were, you know, asked to step in and pick up the slack, okay? So they have a statewide presence in all 75 of the counties. Am I correct on that? Okay. And so they have a presence in all 75 counties. And so knowing the importance of what the community mental health centers do, that's why this bill is in place to make sure that for this very important service that's provided throughout the state, and that's not, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, that's not minimizing what everybody else does at all.
They're all important, and we need them all. Okay. But these are the folks that are dealing with that population that's going to be out in the community that need the services that the mental health services or centers provide. So what it says is that, and if you look at page 2, and I'm going to kind of walk through it quickly, but on page 2, looking at lines 10 through 13, the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services shall meet with the community mental health centers annually to determine the appropriate changes in funding for each fiscal year.
And so this has a built-in procedure, if you would, that they are to be evaluated annually. So if there are changes that need to be made, it can be done in incremental steps instead of, you know, coming down here and have to deal with it during a general session or during a fiscal session in one big swoop. And they are going to report, if you go on down, the Community Mental Health Center shall report quarterly on the adequacy of funding for the fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 to the public health committees, both Senate and House. So what that does is that brings us into the loop so that we can see if
their funding levels are adequate to meet their needs. And it goes on and talks about how that the report shall include an annual audit of community mental health centers that is performed by an independent certified public accountant and meets the general accepted accounting principles. As you move on down, you find that it says that if the Division of Aging and Adult Mental Health services, intends to enter into a new professional or consulting service contract with the Community Mental Health Center, and it exceeds $25,000, that contract needs to be reviewed by legislative
counsel, and if it's during the General Assembly, by the Joint Budget Committee, at least 30 days before the execution of the day of the contract, which involves us in the process. And that's part of what this bill is intended to do, is make sure that we are engaged because we're busy and things happen. But for these valuable services, it provides the mechanism where we're engaged and we can find out sooner than later what issues are going on. And the professional consulting services contract with the community mental health center is modified and it goes through and it
speaks to the modifications. And the biggest meat, the biggest part of this modification is that if there's a funding cut that comes down to the division, that the community mental health service centers would have a 45 delayed implementation to those cuts so that they can prepare to meet the needs out in the community knowing that their funding is going to be cut. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen that they get a call and say, hey, the funding's been cut above us and y'all need to, you need to
know that your funding's been cut. Well, that's okay except for one problem. They're still expected to go out and provide those services even though the funding has been cut So it'd be like a maybe I could use this analogy. It's like a contractor coming in saying I almost got your house done However, the money's been cut and I can't finish it, but you're expected to live in it anyway And then what would happen is at the end of the 45 days or during the 45 days They would be working out to determine okay if our funding is going to be cut what do you expect us not to do for the
same amount of money because what is bad is when the funding cuts occur but the changes in responsibility do not occur and they're expected to deliver the same amount of services for less money contractually that just doesn't seem like the right thing to do so that's the purpose for the 45 days is to build in that that buffer so that so it can come in for a soft landing instead of a crash landing and yet the services continue to be provided to the population that they meet throughout the state demonstration page 3 bottom 28 demonstrated experience
providing outpatient behavioral health services stave aren't saw specifically for those behavioral health services providing emergency screening for 24 hours per day week and the full ray outpatient services and that was proceeded that was added to a list of the criteria you know that she'll be considered in the factors if their contract is going to be renegotiated in the middle of the stream and mr. chair I think y'all here speak we have some that
can speak to the finer details of this if the chair would allow otherwise I'll be glad to take questions
Representative John Payton
Unverified
12:27
all right many questions Representative Payton, you're recognized for a question. Thank you,
Speaker 21
12:35
Mr. Chair. Senator Hammer, at the top of page two, why are we eliminating the paragraph that requires that we conform with all the fiscal control laws of the state of Arkansas?
And I may need DHS to come to the end of the table and explain what that would do. I mean, it's totally wiping out DHS's responsibility to adhere to these procurement laws. Mr. Chair, if I may respond, I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
13:06
think it would be good if we did have DHS come to the table and maybe some of the folks from the community mental health centers would be willing to come to the table. I think
it would give you a perspective. Would you all go to the table, DHS and community health, and introduce yourselves?
Speaker 27
13:27
Jay Hill, Division Director for Aging and Adult Behavioral Health
Speaker 28
13:50
Services with DHS. Go ahead and redirect your question. So my question is, at the top
Speaker 21
13:56
of page two, there's a paragraph that's currently in law
that says that everything will be subject to the procurement law, and it lists several different sections of code and other fiscal control laws of the state. It even mentions the revenue stabilization law. If we eliminate this, what is it going to do to the process? And I mean, can you explain what the elimination of this paragraph
Speaker 26
14:26
might do? Representative, prior to this present time we're in right now, we actually have an active
RFQ out right now for services for our community mental health centers. Prior to this date, CMHCs were specified in special language. That was pulled out, for those of you that remember, in the 2017 session, and we were mandated to follow state procurement law in order to procure these services, which is what we are actively doing. We anticipate a notification of award to come out imminently with services to begin under contract on July 1. And I would defer to someone with more procurement experience than I have, but I would say if
you take this out, then that could be detrimental to our process of procuring services for indigent Arkansans. Yes, sir. Put me back in the queue. Thank you. Representative Love,
you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
15:22
Sherry. I guess I needed someone from procurement as well because I just wanted to know exactly how this would actually change the process. Is there anyone here from procurement?
Or either. Is there someone here from, because DHS does their own procurement, correct? I mean, I know that you do it in coordination with the state, but DHS does their own procurement. Yes, Representative, we do.
Speaker 26
15:47
We have a procurement section. But now, these changes were not DHS's recommendation or request. Okay. Make it clear that we did not, we didn't ask for this to be stricken. Okay. I just
Representative Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
15:59
need to know kind of how this would impact. I don't know how
we get that answer if we don't have the person here to answer it.
Representative Payton, you're next for a question. Thank
Speaker 21
16:16
you, Mr. Chair. I just don't know that I can get over this. But, I mean, this paragraph is even talking about rules of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Revenue Stabilization Act. I mean, it seems to me like if you take this out, you could even get away around the appropriations. I just don't know how it works here, so somebody needs to enlighten me. Senator, you got a response?
Speaker 28
16:38
I do have a response. But what I'd like to do,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
16:41
and I think I can get this thing on the ground if the chair would allow a little latitude.
If you'd let the individuals from the Community Mental Health Center speak for just a second and then let me come back after them, I think we can find
a resolve on this. Okay. Thank you. You recognize?
Go ahead and make your comments. Introduce
Speaker 42
17:05
yourselves first, please. Kathy Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Health Care System in Pine Bluff. I'm representing the 12 community mental health centers in the state of Arkansas It is the position of the community mental health centers that we are a significant partner with the state in meeting the needs of the Haverhill health population.
The things that we are seeking to achieve in this bill is collaboration and conversation with the Department of Human Services when there are decisions to cut funding to us. We're asking for some business considerations that anyone would expect as we're conducting business that we have the opportunity to receive notification and have collaboration about the changes.
It is not our intent to change these laws per se. We are simply seeking to have an opportunity to have some input into our destiny. Yes, community mental health centers are in significant dire straits at this time. We're not asking for additional funding. We're only asking to have an opportunity to have conversations with DHS about the impacts on reduced funding as it affects the clients that we serve in the state of Arkansas.
All right, is there anyone else at the end of
Speaker 45
18:40
the table that would like to make comments? Danny Stanley, I'm with the CEO at Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center out of Texarkana. I'm also the current president of the Mental Health Council of Arkansas. And I'm really unclear about procurement laws, but I wanted to kind of bolster what Mr. Harris had said, that we work on such close margins and we deal with the state's most vulnerable individuals,
serving some 70,000 last year. In my area, six counties in southwest Arkansas, we have programs for the indigent who would not be served in any other capacity. And when we create these programs based on the amount of contract dollars that we receive each year and then can't count on those to the conclusion of that year
or that contract, then oftentimes those that can least afford to be hurt are the ones that are hurt. And I often say that these individuals that we take care of will receive services, whether they're through the community mental health centers or through the hospital emergency rooms or jails or any other place, but they will demand services by their actions and behaviors, and we're considered the public mental health entity and try to do our best
with what we have, but sometimes stretching is a little hard to
Speaker 44
20:16
do when we can't count on the contracts to go to fruition. Anyone else
at the end of the table want
Speaker 46
20:29
to comment? I'm Diane Skaggs, the Executive Director of
Speaker 47
20:32
the Mental Health Council of Arkansas. I'm here mostly for support because they've explained it very well.
All right, committee, we'll just continue with questions if you all have a question. Representative Ritchie, did you still have a question? Okay. Okay. Representative Brown, did you still
Speaker 49
20:59
have a question? I do. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Something that Senator Hammer said kind of confused me. This community, and this will be for anybody who wants to answer,
the community mental health centers serve the indigent. So does that mean that their services are paid through Medicaid, or how are they paid? I mean, what pays for their services? I just got the impression that there was no insurance to cover
Speaker 42
21:33
some people. Well, we are Medicaid providers, all of the community mental health centers. We also receive payment from Medicare, from private insurance, commercial insurance. But the population that these contract dollars are dedicated to are those individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.
They don't have a reimbursement source. And so we serve them regardless of their ability to pay. And also a part of that funding goes to be a community partner to respond to the mental health needs of the communities. It goes beyond just serving individuals, like Senator Hammer referred to going to the detention facilities, helping the court systems, broad-ranging services that we provide. Want to follow up?
Speaker 49
22:23
Yes, you're recognized. So when you have people who don't have, I think you call it a reimbursement source, who pays for those services? we allocate those to contract
Speaker 42
22:37
dollars or we write those off mr. chair would you allow mr. hill to weigh in on
Speaker 23
22:50
that question yes it's representative to clarify
Speaker 26
22:56
we fund community mental health centers through a combination of federal and state dollars state general revenue, federal funding, for instance, the mental health block grant, those dollars are allocated to a community mental health center each month in a 1-12 payment. They are to offset the cost of services to Arkansans who are either underinsured or have no insurance, indigent Arkansans. So that's what our contracts do, and that's what our partners do. We have 12 around the state, 12 community mental health centers that each cover a region
of counties. And so our state dollars, as Ms. Harris was saying, that's what covers the cost of the services they provide to those who have no payer source. When we do reduce funding to a CMHC, for instance, the previous two reductions that we've made, one was because the services are now coverable under Medicaid, reimbursable by Medicaid, And as a provider, we're prohibited from using state general revenue to pay for expenses
that are coverable by a third-party payer source. The second reduction that we made was to expand services to beneficiaries in the state in our counseling contracts, where we had 12 community mental health centers that were providing counseling services to indigent Arkansans. We took those dollars, expanded that through an invitation for bid, and we now have 29 providers around the state that we have contracts with, including the 12 community mental health centers. They are part of that group that our funding was put back out to them
so that we could expand the opportunity for beneficiaries to find a provider that was close to them in their county, close to where they live. Those are the two recent reductions that we've taken to those dollars that
Speaker 48
24:44
pay for indigent services. Thank you for
Representative John Payton
Unverified
24:47
that explanation. Any other questions from committee? Representative Ritchie, you
Chair
Unverified
24:55
recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Hammer, I definitely want to support the community mental health centers
and the important work they do around the state. I'm just trying to, and I understand the hard place they're in as cuts are made, And I definitely support the spirit of trying to have them be part of this process of determining, you know, when the contracts are amended or adjusted. I'm just really trying to understand this taking out, these two sections, and especially the one with, you know, revenue stabilization and all that.
And I thought you were going to come back and answer that while it goes. So if you could kind of explain that to me where I could get my head around it, I'd appreciate
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
25:49
it. Yes, sir. In fact, that's why I was going to circle back around. But let me just let me wrap it up by saying this. You've heard the providers at the end of the table. Part of the reason for the push to do this was to make sure that we understand the valuable role like all other providers in all other areas. I get it, DD and everybody else.
But these are the ones that are dealing with the individual population that, you know, need mental health services. It was just testified to a while ago. However, I will say this. I would not want to see a piece of legislation go through that also has an unintended consequence to it. And we've had multiple meetings on this with DHS. And I want to say this publicly, that they've been good to be at the table to have these discussions and try to come to a resolve so that if cuts come down that we understand the valuable service that these folks provide
because it's not really fair to get a phone call. It's not an easy job for Jay to have to make the phone call to say the federal funding cut has come down and you all are going to cut your funding in two days and expect them to go out and continue to provide the service on less money. That's just not a good way for us to do business as a government and to operate. However, having gone through all those meetings and having gotten to this point here today and seeing the unattended consequences of what that paragraph would do,
I don't think that's what anybody on this end of the table wants. And so for that reason, and Mr. Chair, unless you're going to, I don't see, I think the clock has run out on us is what I'm saying. Unless a miracle comes down that you're going to call another meeting, we get amended on the other end. And quite honestly, I don't hold out hope for that, to be honest with you. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to pull this bill down because I don't think any of us would want it to have the unintended consequences that it does. But at the same time, also, I'd like the committee to know moving forward, we really need to keep our eye on this thing
because these are the folks that are going to be out in our
community if this thing goes south. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator, I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
27:56
appreciate you being willing to do that. I think it's
for the best of the legislature and all parties involved, sir. Thank you. Thank you all for your comments. Committee, this will be the last meeting of our committee. And, you know, yesterday when we gave gifts to our staff, I didn't really make a comment, but I do appreciate Phil and Juanita and what they've done.
They've been excellent to work with. And, committee, I do appreciate your attendance and what you've done. And I want to say my co-chair, Representative Ferguson, thank you. You've been really good to work with. Appreciate all of you all. I think you have done a great service to the state in your efforts here. I think we have served them well. So thank you very much. We are adjourned.
Agenda
TO OFFER TESTIMONY ON A BILL, PLEASE SIGN IN TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR
CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1255 Dotson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LICENSING, REGISTRATION, AND CERTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN PROFESSIONS; AND TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF ENDORSEMENT, RECOGNITION, AND RECIPROCITY FOR LICENSING.
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1743 Bentley TO PROMOTE THE PURCHASE OF HEALTHY PRODUCTS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS.
HB1966 A. Collins TO REINSTATE COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS WORKS PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO LOST COVERAGE DUE TO FAILURE TO MEET THE WORK REQUIREMENTS; TO NOTIFY INDIVIDUALS OF THE FEDERAL COURT DECISION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB295 K. Hammer TO PROMOTE THE COLLECTION OF LABOR MARKET DATA; AND TO REQUIRE
EMPLOYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
SB 519 k. Hammer
LAID ON THE TABLE
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB546 K. Hammer TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT IN AN ELIGIBLE
INSTITUTION FOR MENTAL DISEASE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
DEFERRED BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1323 D. Douglas TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF LONG-TERM CARE NOT TO ADOPT RULES OR STANDARDS THAT ARE STRICTER THAN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED NURSING AIDES OR ASSISTANTS AND
HB1334 Maddox TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM; TO REMOVE A LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED AT A TIME IN THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1232 Lowery TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING AUTHORIZED PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS OF UNION DUES FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO ALLOW DEDUCTIONS ONLY FOR FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS; AND TO PROHIBIT DEDUCTIONS FOR TEACHERS.
HB1102 Sullivan TO ADDRESS THE UNDERSERVED STATUS OF A COUNTY AS A REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROVIDERS.
HB1528 Womack TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LIMIT FOR DRUG TESTING AND X-RAYS.
HB1164 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE A PHARMACIST TO DISPENSE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.
HB1283 Gonzales TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHESIA"; TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF A CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST; AND TO REMOVE SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS.
HB1284 Gonzales TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE AS A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
HB1274 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO HAS SERVED A RURAL COMMUNITY TO PRACTICE WITHOUT A COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AGREEMENT.
HB1060 Lynch TO ESTABLISH AND REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION LICENSEES.
HB1649 Sullivan TO PROVIDE FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATIENT CHOICE AND PROMOTE QUALITY OF CARE AS A REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROVIDERS.
HB1864 D. Ferguson TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1857 Womack TO INCREASE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM BENEFIT LIMIT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.
HB1642 Warren TO AMEND THE LAWS REGARDING COSMETOLOGY AND OTHER RELATED OCCUPATIONS; AND TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION FOR NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.
HB1265 M. Gray TO AUTHORIZE FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES WHO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
HB1536 D. Douglas TO CREATE THE COMPASSIONATE CARE END-OF-LIFE OPTION ACT; AND TO EXEMPT THE COMPASSIONATE CARE END-OF-LIFE OPTION ACT FROM THE DEFINITION OF" PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE".
HB1451 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AND TO EXCLUDE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS FROM GROSS INCOME USED FOR ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION.
HB1948 Perry TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING SOLID WASTE LICENSING FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, MODERNIZATION, AND FLEXIBILITY CONSISTENT WITH TRANSFORMATION GOALS; AND TO CREATE THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING LICENSING ACT.
HB1282 Lundstrum TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A MANDATORY COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AGREEMENT FOR AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY.
HB1840 D. Douglas TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED UNDER THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM TO ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY (1,550); TO REMOVE THE LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED AT A TIME IN THE PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1882 L. Johnson TO INCREASE ANNUAL FEES FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENSURE FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
HB1946 D. Ferguson TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF CERTAIN EVENTS RELATED TO OFFICE-BASED SURGERY.
HB1952 M. Gray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHYSICIAN ORDER FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT ACT.
HB1696 Gonzales TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT OF 2006; AND TO ALLOW PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES THE OPTION TO PROHIBIT SMOKING.
HB1823 Ladyman TO REQUIRE EMPLOYEES OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS TO BE IMMUNIZED OR VACCINATED AGAINST HEPATITIS A FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
HB1929 Miller TO CREATE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2019; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1771 V. Flowers TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS LITTER REDUCTION AND DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING ACT; TO REQUIRE THE LABELING OF DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN ARKANSAS; TO ESTABLISH THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAM.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Apr 9, 2019 | Agenda | 3 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Jack Ladyman Chair
Unverified
Representative Jim Dotson
Unverified
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Representative John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 21
Speaker 27
Speaker 28
Speaker 26
Representative Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Speaker 42
Speaker 45
Speaker 44
Speaker 46
Speaker 47
Speaker 49
Speaker 23
Speaker 48
Chair
Unverified