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Monday, May 20, 2002
2002 HCAP Rules in the Works
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has submitted proposed rules for the 2002 Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP). The rules update the hospital assessment structure and set the distribution formula. They would allow for an increase in funds allocated to hospitals meeting the strictest definition of disproportionate share hospital, to cover uncompensated care, and to critical access and rural hospitals. ODJFS is holding a public hearing for written or verbal testimony on the HCAP rules June 11 at 10 a.m. in Room 1814, 30 E. Broad St. in Columbus. Following the hearing, the rules are expected to go to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review this summer. Hospitals planning to comment are encouraged to contact Ryan Biles at OHA at 614.221.7614 or ryanb@ohanet.org. The proposed rules are available at http://www.state.oh.us/odjfs/ols/pubHearings/index.stm. (Ryan Biles, ryanb@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020520_code45.htm.

(Editor’s note: StateHealthClips.com has gone to a subscription service. Please note that the link to access clips will change daily. If you visit www.statehealthclips.com, you will be required to enter a subscriber password. No password is required for the link published in HEALTH e-NEWS Plus.)

Nurse's license suspended for slapping ER patient
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Saturday, May 18, 2002
An emergency room supervisor who slapped a mentally retarded patient in the face after he spit at her had her nursing license suspended yesterday for two years.

Doctor's helper steals the show on rounds at Children's Hospital
Columbus Dispatch
Monday, May 20, 2002
Given a choice, Trevor Robinett would visit Dr. Ellen Kaitz at Children's Hospital every time he needed to see a pediatrician.

Twin City Hospital hosts recognition banquet
New Philadelphia Times-Reporter
Monday, May 20, 2002
DENNISON - Twin City Hospital recently recognized its employees, physicians, board members and volunteers during recognition banquets held throughout National Hospital Week May 12 through 18.

Tuesday, May 21, 2002
ODJFS Slows Hospitals' Medicaid Payments
In an apparent effort to make ends meet through the end of this state fiscal year, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has slowed payments to hospitals across the state. While no official statement has been made, sources indicate ODJFS set its computers to process medical bills as they are received, but to hold payment on each bill until the last possible date before state law requires interest to be paid. Normally, ODJFS pays clean, electronic billings in less than two weeks. Although perfectly legal, the action is causing a temporary slowdown in payments. Hospitals can expect weekly checks to rise toward normal levels within the next few weeks. If past experience is any indicator, ODJFS should resume its normal bill-payment turnaround after July 1, when state fiscal year 2003 begins. (Charles Cataline, charlesc@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020521_federal78.htm.

Spanish emerges in hospitals
Cincinnati Enquirer
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Cincinnati hospitals that don't have people to answer the phone in Spanish are going to start at least taking a message in Spanish.

Insurers deny doctor drain
Cincinnati Enquirer
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
The Tristate's biggest insurers say they do not believe that Greater Cincinnati is suffering from a medical brain drain.

$47.6M needed in case of attack
Cincinnati Post
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Hamilton County emergency preparedness officials say they will need $47.6 million in new equipment to deal with any potential terrorist attack.

Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Rural Advocacy Day Targeting Congress
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is holding a Rural Hospital Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. to drum up support from legislators on several hospital issues. Scheduled for June 4 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., the event is specifically calling on Congress to reject new payment reductions to hospitals. AHA is also asking that participants urge Congress to pass hospital-specific legislation, the American Hospital Preservation Act (H.R. 1556/S. 839) and the Area Wage and Base Payment Improvement Act (H.R. 1609/S. 885). Contact Toby Mobley at AHA at 202.626.2254 for more information.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020522_browser20.htm.

Inmate sues hospital where he raped a patient
Toledo Blade
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
SANDUSKY - A convicted rapist has sued the hospital where he raped a patient in her bed, saying the hospital failed to protect visitors and patients.

EMH breaks ground with artery experiments
Elyria Chronicle-Telegram
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
ELYRIA - Physicians at EMH Regional Medical Center are participating in a clinical trial that could make treatment of coronary artery disease less traumatic.

Thursday, May 23, 2002
Hospitals Faring Well In State Budget Debate
As state lawmakers finalize negotiations to balance the state's budget shortfall, hospitals appear to be safe from cuts to the Medicaid program. Lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill this week filling the estimated $765 million shortfall for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. It is estimated the state will face a $1.2 billion deficit in fiscal year 2003.

Senate Bill 261, sponsored by Sen. Jim Carnes (R-St. Clairsville), passed the Ohio Senate Wednesday and was being considered by the House Finance Committee. While the bill was in the Senate, slashing provider Medicaid rates was under consideration; however the budget bill does not include language to do so in its current form. It was unclear whether a proposal to increase the state tax on cigarettes by 50 cents per pack had enough support in the House of Representatives for passage. The bill contains other areas of interest to hospitals, including language to:

§ Require the Department of Job and Family Services to report on the establishment and implementation of Medicaid cost containment proposals to the General Assembly every three months.

§ Require ODJFS to study a Medicaid co-payment program in order to reduce inappropriate and excessive use of medical goods and services; and to authorize ODJFS to seek a federal waiver if the study determines co-pays are feasible.

(Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

Provisional Trauma Status Assured
OHA has secured an amendment in Senate Bill 124, soon to be signed by the governor, to ensure hospitals may operate as trauma centers under provisional status while seeking verification from the American College of Surgeons. The legislation provides relief for hospitals working towards verification, allows verified trauma centers to maintain their verification, allows hospitals to initiate the verification process in the future and allows existing trauma centers to upgrade verification levels.

Without the change, all hospitals would have been prohibited from the ACS verification process upon the Nov. 3, 2002 effective date of the trauma law. Hospitals currently awaiting verification are deemed eligible for provisional status if the process is not completed by Nov. 3, 2002. Others may seek provisional status in the future as needed.

The full text of the amendment will be available on OHA’s Web site. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020523_arena03.htm.

New simulator no dummy
Cincinnati Enquirer
Thursday, May 23, 2002
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center unveiled on Wednesday the nation's first “portable simulated pediatric patient.”

Be skeptical of health information on the Web
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Thursday, May 23, 2002
Nearly two in three U.S. Internet users go online for health information - and many may not be applying a healthy enough dose of skepticism to the advice they obtain.

Friday, May 24, 2002
Medicaid Climate Less Bleak, Future Uncertain
Ohio hospital Medicaid losses are on the decline. Over the last three years for which data is available, Medicaid payments to hospitals have kept up better with rising costs. The reduction in fee-for-service and managed care shortfalls combined, totaling $148.2 million in 2000, $164.9 million in 1999 and $207.2 million in 1998, mean that although hospitals are still losing money on Medicaid, the degree of the losses has lessened.

Although this recent trend in reduced Medicaid losses is a step in the right direction, hospitals could soon take two steps back. Congress previously softened the blow of cuts to hospitals under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, but full cuts are to take effect Oct. 1 and decrease Medicaid DSH funding by $54.5 million. Additionally, state budget shortfalls could impact Medicaid payments allocated by the state. Hospitals’ already razor-thin operating margins could be compromised even further. For more, see the May issue of OHA HealthBeat.

DAILY NEWS CLIPS

For your daily health care news digest, go to the Hannah News Service's StateHealthClips.com at http://www.statehealthclips.com/2002/OHA/20020524_pavilion29.htm

Physicians might lose OhioHealth privileges
Columbus Dispatch
Friday, May 24, 2002
Doctors who've invested in a New Albany for-profit orthopedic hospital could lose the ability to treat patients at hospitals owned by OhioHealth.

$150,000 trauma care campaign kicks off
Middletown Journal
Friday, May 24, 2002
Seconds count in situations involving emergency trauma and now those whose job it is to save lives are counting on community members for their support.

Accounting dispute delays project at Hardin County hospital
Columbus Dispatch
Friday, May 24, 2002
Hardin Memorial Hospital officials and county commissioners are at odds over procedures and accountability for spending nearly $10 million from a levy voters approved in August.