The Big Story: Hospital Lobbyists Likely To Swarm Leg Hall Today.
There’s only one bill of note on either Agenda today. But, since it’s a stick in the eye of hospital practices, it’s likely to swell the temporary population in Dover today.
…creates the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board, which will be responsible for an annual review of hospital budgets and related financial information. The Board will have 7 members: 6 appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and the Executive Director of the Delaware Healthcare Association. This Act creates a requirement that hospitals submit yearly budgets, audited financial statements, and related financial information to the Board for review. Where a hospital fails to meet the state’s budget benchmark for increases in hospital costs it is required to engage with the Board on a performance improvement plan. If the Board and the hospital cannot agree on an improvement plan or where the hospital fails to successfully implement a performance plan, the Board may require the hospital to have its future budget approved by the Board.
Only two legislative sponsors, Longhurst and Sen. Townsend. Bill was assigned to, and released from, the House Administration Committee, Our PAL Val’s committee. I honestly don’t know whether this is a good bill or not, so I’m gonna listen to the floor discussion today. I don’t know to what extent government should be able to dictate hospital practices and fees. I expect it to be lengthy. I don’t know whether there will be a roll call, at least not today.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. I could find nothing of note.
Today’s Senate Agenda consists of a Consent Agenda. Consent Agendas generally consist of bills viewed as being non-controversial. Should any senator object to a bill being on a Consent Agenda, the bill is automatically removed.
One other bill of note on today’s House Agenda. HS1/HB 302 (Bolden):
HB 302 requires all group, blanket, and individual health insurance policies to cover prostate screening for men at risk of prostate cancer. This Substitute bill broadens the definition of “prostate screening” to include any medically necessary and clinically appropriate method for the detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer, including a digital rectal exam and prostate specific antigen test, and associated laboratory work. This Substitute bill also clarifies the ages at which prostate screenings must be covered, consistent with the American Cancer Society guidelines, as follows: (1) Age 50 for men at average risk of developing prostate cancer; (2) Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer, including African American men and men who have a first degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer; and (3) Age 40 for men at even higher risk for prostate cancer, including men who have more than one first degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Good bill.
BTW, still no legislation forestalling the retired legislator windfall.