Date:               January 23, 2009

Contact:          GAEMS Board of Directors, GAEMS Members

Consultant:     Joshua Mackey, Seth Millican

(Click on the bill numbers to be linked to the full contents of the bill)

CALENDAR

The General Assembly was not in session this week.  Instead, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees met in joint hearings to hear from state agencies on their proposed budgets from the governor.

BUDGET & MEDICAID

On Friday, The Department of Community Health (DCH) and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) presented their FY 2009 Amended Budget and their FY 2010 Budget to a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations Meetings.

DHR received many questions from legislators on the potential costs associated with the Division of Public Health being moved to DCH.  DHR was not able to provide any details and the governor’s office insists that any re-structuring will be revenue neutral.

The 1.6% taxes on health insurance providers and hospitals was the item that received the most discussion during DCH’s presentation.  DCH is still debating on how to assess such a tax on hospitals (whether it will be on total patient revenue, on the number of beds, or another method).

DCH also informed legislators that the governor’s office is still working on the legislation that is required to implement these new taxes.  One potential problem already developing is that some legislators are already discussing possible exemptions of certain hospitals from the new taxes.

Some of the most influential legislative leaders are insisting that they are not going to implement these new taxes and another source of revenue or cuts will be needed.  These same legislators also insist that raising the tax on tobacco related products is not an option.

The governor’s office has said that the governor would reconsider these new fees if a stimulus package from the federal government included funds for Medicaid.

NEW LEGISLATION

HB 19 – creating penalties for using a cell phone while driving

HB 23 – outlaws using a cell phone or text messaging if you are under 18

HB 105 – allows emergency 9-1-1 systems to direct non-emergency calls for public safety agencies.

HB 31 – repealing the law allowing red light cameras

SB 5 – requires seat belts in pickup trucks