2010 Legislative Wrap-Up
BILLS THAT PASSED
SB 1007 -- MEDICAID (HealthNet) COST CONTAINMENT
The bill includes some of the cost-containment measures that had been in an earlier version (HB1918). Provisions that stayed in the bill include: allowing the state to contract with an independent contractor to perform assessments of individuals for PAS services and implementation of a telephone tracking system for PAS hours. The bill also includes requires that before an individual enters a long-term care facility, they or their representative must be notified about the availability of home and community-based options and there must be a record that the person has declined the option. SB842 also passed and included some of the same provisions as SB1007.
HB1311/1341 -- HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM
The bill that was passed in the session's final week requires health insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Coverage for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is required to be covered up to a maximum annual benefit of $40,000 for children younger than age 19. Another important provision that remained in the bill is explicit language that coverage of medically necessary equipment is also required. Hopefully insured families who are trying to get an assistive technology device such as an augmentative communication system will now have success.
The legislation does not allow a policy to be denied, terminated or restricted because of a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Extensive licensing requirements are established for ABA providers. The bill requires coverage by the state employee health care plan, but does not require Mo HealthNet (Medicaid) to cover ABA.
HB1764--HEALTHCARE REFORM
The bill establishes a referendum during the August election to allow Missourians to opt out of the national health care reform requirements related to employer coverage and that individuals must have health insurance. Experts agree that the vote will have no effect in the sense that state statute cannot trump federal law. Several of the reform measures go into effect this year including tax credits for small businesses that provide coverage for employees.
HB1542 & 2260--SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN BIDDING PREFERENCE
The bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions to give a three-point bonus preference to a service-disabled veteran business operating as a Missouri business when letting a contract for the performance of any job or service. Currently, they must give preference to a disabled veteran business if the quality of performance is equal or better and the price quoted is the same or less. If there is an insufficient number of veteran businesses or none that submits a bid or proposal for a contract, the provision requiring the Office of Administration to have a goal of 3% of all contracts to be let to service-disabled veteran businesses will not apply.
HB127-- CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
The bill changes the name in state statute of the "Crippled Children's Service" to the "Children's Special Health Care Needs Service"