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Monday,
July 19, 2004
A recently released Office of Inspector General (OIG) report found Ohio’s oversight and administration of the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program were exemplary. The report, which was performed as part of a multistate initiative requested by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also found the calculations of hospital DSH limits and payments under Ohio’s Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) were accurate and consistent with federal requirements. To view the complete report, go to www.oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/50100058.pdf. (Ryan Biles, ryanb@ohanet.org)
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
The Ohio Court of Claims recently certified OHA's lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of 1,200 hospitals and providers owed money from Personal Physician Care, Inc. Judge Fred Shoemaker, in a decision posted to the Ohio Supreme Court Web site at www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/documents/13/2004/2004-ohio-3810.doc, found OHA satisfied all of the requirements for certification of a class action.
Personal Physician Care (PPC), a Medicaid managed care plan, became insolvent in 1996, and hospitals and doctors brought the suit against the state Medicaid and insurance departments for negligence in their duties with respect to the Medicaid managed care program and PPC, resulting in a loss of millions of dollars in unpaid claims.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will appeal the decision in the 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals, which could further delay a hearing on the merits for several months. OHA will continue to pursue the litigation and keep members apprised. (Mary Gallagher, maryg@ohanet.org)
Wednesday, July
21, 2004
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee, by a 35-27 vote, last week approved an amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriation bill that blocks the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) from forcing hospitals to perform annual fit-testing of respirators worn by health care workers for protection against tuberculosis.
OHA and the American Hospital Association supported the amendment, offered by Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), since hospitals and infection control experts say annual fit-testing is time-consuming and unnecessary because hospitals already follow stringent guidelines to protect workers from tuberculosis exposure.
The bill still faces the House floor and House and Senate conferences, where there may be attempts to strike out its provisions. In the meantime, OSHA is enforcing the regulation, which was effective July 1. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Thursday,
July 22, 2004
A statewide coalition says it’s prepared to take a controversial proposal calling for universal health care for all Ohioans directly to the citizenry if necessary. The Single Payer Action Network (SPAN-Ohio) this week filed a petition summary and 201 signatures with Attorney General Jim Petro’s office.
SPAN-Ohio’s “Health Care for All Ohioans Act” proposal would fund the universal health care program through a single-payer fund from increased business and income taxes. The group says the establishment of a public fund to pay health care bills for every Ohioan is an essential reform, however critics say the plan simply won’t work and would require tax hikes that could exceed $48 billion a year starting in 2006.
Once Petro approves the summary, SPAN-Ohio will have to collect nearly 97,000 valid signatures if it wants to present the proposed statute to the Ohio Legislature. If lawmakers don’t enact the legislation, petitioners would need nearly 97,000 more signatures to put the proposal on a ballot. Supporters of the proposal acknowledge getting such a law passed is an uphill battle. Oregon voters defeated a similar ballot issue in 2002. OHA will monitor the issue and keep members apprised of its status. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)
Bill Would Increase Federal Medicaid Funds
Lawmakers this week introduced federal legislation supported by the
American Hospital Association that would provide $6 billion in fiscal
relief to states, including a $4.8 billion increase in the federal
medical assistance percentage (FMAP) used to set the federal
government’s share of Medicaid funds.
Congress approved $10 billion in emergency FMAP support last year, allowing states to draw down additional funds by maintaining state spending. This assistance expired June 30, adding pressure to states’ already tight budgets. OHA will continue working with legislators on the state and federal level to protect Ohio’s Medicaid program. (Jonathan Archey, jonathana@ohanet.org)
Friday,
July 23, 2004
When choosing a hospital, on whom or what should consumers rely? Ohio’s hospital community encourages patients to educate themselves by looking into credible studies as well as talking with their physicians and health care providers.
On July 15, JCAHO published a report with quality information on the more than 90 percent of Ohio hospitals accredited by JCAHO, and other accredited hospitals nationwide. Ohio’s hospitals rated better than the national average in nearly every measure including lower inpatient heart attack mortality and inpatient neonatal mortality rates. Patients can also access information from the National Voluntary Quality Reporting Initiative, with more than 75 percent of Ohio’s hospitals voluntarily offering data.
Major magazines and Web sites also offer studies on hospital quality, but the challenge to patients is ensuring credible information and methodologies and understanding what the information presented really means. In addition, many Ohioans continue to rely on referrals from professionals and the advice of trusted family members and friends when choosing a hospital.
Patients who do research before selecting a hospital-consulting their physicians, credible studies and the guidance of trusted friends-help hospitals provide the most appropriate and quality care possible. For more information, view the July Healthbeat online at www.ohanet.org/healthbeat/2004/0704.htm.