WeeklyFinancingNewsPulsefinal200900914.pdf (PDF | 225.74 kb)
SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 1 National Health Financing News President Obama Addresses Congress on Health Care Reform, Senate Finance Committee Schedules Health Legislation Mark Up Senator Harkin to Chair HELP Committee Census Bureau Releases Report with 2008 Data on Income, Poverty, and Insurance Coverage CMS Announces Guidelines for ARRA Medicaid EHR Incentive Payments HHS Inspector General Report Finds CMS MSIS Data Inadequate SAMHSA Releases 2008 NSDUH Joint Commission to Help Hospitals Address Safety Concerns Health Tracking Physician Survey Reports that Physicians Earned Nearly Half of Revenue from Public Sources Commonwealth Fund Report Presents Health Insurance Survey Results, Prospects for Reform Evaluation Finds Patient -Centered Medical Home Approach Associated with Positive Outcomes Study Finds Prevention Program Reduces Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behavior Health Affairs Artic les Examine Health Care Financing AP/Gfk and Medical Groups Release Health Care Reform Polls KFF Releases Three Health Care Reform Reports Around the Hill: Hearings on Health Financing Around the States: State and Local Behavioral Health Financing News Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Hawaii Idaho Illinois Kansas Massachusetts Michigan Missouri New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio South Carolina Texas Utah Washington Beginning next week, SAMHSA will deliver the Weekly Financing News Pulse in two editions 226 a National news edition and a State and Local news edition. The National edition will be distributed on Mondays, beginning September 21st, and the State and Local edition on Wedne sdays, beginning September 23rd. For quest ions or comments, please contact Kevin Hennessey ( kevin.hennessy@samhsa.hhs.gov ). SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 2 National Health Financing News President Obama Addr esses Congress on Health Care Reform, Senate Finance Committee Schedules Health Legislation Mark Up: On September 9, President Barack Obama delivered a prime time address to a joint session of Congress outlining his health care reform agenda. In the 47 - minute speech, President Obama cited three major goals, providing s tability to individuals who already have health coverage, extending coverage to the uninsured, and slowing the growth of health care spending. President Obama outlined the shell of a $900 billion deficit -neutral plan that would include both an employer an d an individual health insurance mandate as well as restrictions on insurance companies222 ability to deny coverage. The president, however, did not provide extensive details of his plan or present legislative language. President Obama noted that he favored a public plan as a means to achieving accessible and affordable coverage but that he was open to other mechanisms, including a triggered public plan such as that proposed by Senator Olympia Snowe (R -ME) ( CQ Politics, 9/9 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/10 ). President Obama also stressed that he would not sign health care legi slation that would increase the country222s deficit ( Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). Immediately following the address, Rep. Charles Boustany (R - LA) delivered the Republican response , noting that the GOP also believes that health reform must slow the rate of health care spending but reaffirming Republican opposition to a public plan ( Kaiser Health News, 9/10 ). Also this week, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D -MT) circulated a framework of a Senate Finance Committee bill to the bipartisan 223gang of six224 health reform negotiators. The framework , which contains neither a public optio n nor an employer mandate but includes state-based health insurance exchanges , fees on health sector companies, and changes to the State Children222s Health Insurance Program ( SCHIP), is estimated to cost $880 billion over 10 years ( New York Times, 9/7 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/8 ; Politico, 9/8 ). The 223gang of six224 met on September 10 to discuss the framework in light of President Obama222s speech ; Senator Baucus said the committee will propose draft legislation the week of September 14, when the bill is expected to be officially scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Senator Baucus also said the Finance Committee will begin markup the week of September 21 regardless of the bill222s bipartisan status . Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D -NV) has targeted Thanksgiving as a new legislative goal , adding that the details of final Senate legislation would be debated and determined on the Senate floor ( CQ Pol itics, 9/10 ). Senator Harkin to Chair HELP Committee : On September 8, Senate Banking Committee Chair Chris Dodd (D -CT) passed on the Sena te Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee chairmanship, recently vacated when Senator Edward 223Ted224 Ke nnedy (D -MA) died August 25. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D - IA) elected to take the HELP Committee chairmanship, vacating the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee chairmanship which sources say Senator Blanche Lincoln (D -AR) will fill ( Washington Post, 9/8 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/9 ; CQ Politics, 9/9 ). Census Bureau Releases Report with 2008 Data on Income, Poverty, and Insurance Coverage : The U.S. Census Bureau released a report showing that the number of Americans without health insurance rose from 45.6 million to 46.3 million between 2007 and 2008 but that the percentage of uninsured residents held constant at 15.4 percent. The bureau reports that the number of uninsured children has dropped to its lowest level since 1987 at 7.3 million, and that the number of Americans covered by public insurance increased by 4.4 million between 2007 and 2008 to 87.4 million. The report SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 3 also provides details on insurance coverage by region ( Kaiser Health News, 9/10 ; Census Bureau, 9/10 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). CMS Announces Guidelines for ARRA Medicaid EHR Incentive Payments : On September 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to state Medicaid directors saying that the federal government will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ( ARRA ) funding to reimburse states for 100 percent of incentive payments paid to health care providers for demonstrating 223meaningful use224 of electronic health records (EHR) systems. CMS officials also announced that states may apply for 90 percent federal matching funds to cover the cost of planning incentive payment programs. CMS officials recommended that states develop Medicaid Health IT Plans that include incentive payment program audits ( iHealthBeat, 9/8 ; Health Data Management, 9/3 ). HHS Inspector General Report Finds CMS MSIS Data Inadequate : A report , released August 26 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General , found that CMS222 Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) data from FY2004 to FY2006 was of uncertain quality and slowly processed. The report found that it took an average of 1.5 years for CMS to evaluate and release the data, owing to delays from the states as we ll as CMS. In addition, the report found that CMS did not fully disclose or document the accuracy of MSIS data and failed to capture data elements that could assist in fraud detection ( Mass Device, 9/4 ). SAMHSA Releases 2008 NSDUH: On September 10, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) which provides data and trend analysis on M/SU prevalence and access to treatment by age, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic area, and other demographic criteria. The current survey found the overall level of illicit drug use has remained stable, with 8 percent of the respondents reporting some illicit drug use, but that misuse of prescription drugs among those 12 and older decreased significantly from 2007 to 2008 ( SAMHSA, 9/10 ). Joint Commission to Help Hospitals Address Safety Concerns : The non - profit Joint Commission222s new Center for Transforming Healthcare will work with its member hospitals to create collaborative programs to address common patient safety concerns. The Joint Commission, which charges hospitals a fee for evaluation and accreditation, will focus its in itial efforts on hand washing before turning to patient handoffs. Materials developed through the program will be available for free online. The Joint Commission is financed largely through a $10 million endowment and donations from major health care ent ities ( Wall Street Journal, 9/10 ; Ka iser Health News, 9/11 ). Health Tracking Physician Survey Reports that Physicians Earned Nearly Half of Revenue from Public Sources : The Center for Studying Health System Change and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a report presenting key findings from the 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey. The report notes that physicians derived nearly half of their revenue from public sources, with 31 percent coming from Medicare and 17 percent from Medicaid. The report also provides information on charity care, managed care contracts, acceptance of new patients, and a variety of other physician- related data ( Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). Commonwealth Fund Report Presents Health Insurance Survey Results, Prospects for Reform : The Commonwealth Fund issued a report presenting data from the organization222s 2007 SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 4 Biennial Health Insurance Survey and outlined possible ways that heal th care reform legislation might alleviate some of the observed insurance coverage gaps. The report found that, in 2007, 25 percent of employees in small business had employer -sponsored health insurance compared with 74 percent of employees in large compa nies. In addition, the report found that the share of insurance-eligible employees in small companies declined from 45 percent to 36 percent from 2003 to 2007 ( Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). Evaluation Finds Patient - Centered Medical Home Approach Associated with Positive Outcomes : The American Journal of Managed Care published a quasi-experimental evaluation of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) approach, finding that in one health care system, the PCMH was associated with improvements in patient experience, quality of care, and clinician burn -out without increasing ove rall cost ( Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). Study Finds Prevention Program Reduces Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behavior : A study published in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found that the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention program significantly reduced alcohol and tobacco use as well as delinquent behavior. ( U.S. News & World Report, 9/7 ). Health Affairs Articles Examine Health Care Financing : Health Affairs published an article examining broad methods to lower U.S. health care spending and another examining the Medicare governance process, recommending modifications to make the process more independent and reduce 223micromanagement224 by Congress and the President ( Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). AP/Gfk and Medical Groups Release Health Care Reform Polls : An Associated Press/Gfk poll , conducted September 3 to 8, found that 79 percent of respondents reported that they want Congress to pass bipartisan health care reform, with 67 percent of respondents saying that the parties should continue negotiations until they reach an agreement. The same poll also found that 34 percent of respondents support the Congressional health reform plans while 49 percent oppose them, and 52 percent disapprove of President Obama222s handling of health care reform ( CQ Poll Tracker, 9/9 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/10 ). In a related poll of Americans aged 50 and over released September 9 by the AARP , the American Medical Association (AMA), and the American Nurses Association (ANA), 67 percent of respondents were 223very224 or 223somewhat224 concerned about their ability to see the doctor of their choice. In addition, 87 percent believe it is 223very224 or 223somewhat224 important that doctors be reimbursed adequately so that they continue to accept Medicare patients ( Kaiser Health News, 9/9 ). KFF Releases Three Health Care Reform Reports: On September 9, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released three new health care reform reports, 223 Children and Health Care Reform: Assuring Coverage That Meets Their Health Care Needs ,224 223 Individuals with Special Needs and Health Reform: Adequacy of Health Insurance Coverage ,224 and 223 Oral Histories: Report From a Dental Fair for Uninsured Adults .224 Around the Hill: Hearings on Health Financing House Small Business Committee: H1N1 Influenza and Small Business September 9, 1:00 p.m., 23 60 Rayburn SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 5 Senate Indian Affairs Committee: Indian Youth Suicide Prevention September 10, TBA, 628 Dirksen Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law : Mental Illness and Prisons September 15, 10:00 a.m., 226 Dirksen Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security : Medicaid Substance Abuse TBA, TBA, 342 Dirksen Around the States: State and Local Behavioral Health Financing News Alabama State222s SCHIP Expansion to Take Effect October 1 : After receiving approval May 14 (Financing News Pulse 5/26 edition), Alabama222s SCHIP expansion will take effect October 1. The $7 million expansion will raise the income eligibility cutoff from 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to 300 perce nt of the FPL which authorities estimate will expand eligibility to 14,000 additional children. The Alabama Department of Public Health expects to enroll 10,000 to 12,000 of those newly eligible children within 12 months of the expansion ( Birmingham News, 9/8 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/8 ). Medicaid Enrollment Increased Over Two Years: Spokesmen for the Alabama Medicaid Agency report that the state222s program has enrolled nearly 50,000 new individuals in the past two years. Authorities say the largest increases have been among teens, children, and pregnant woman and are largely due to the economy ( AP via WHNT, 9/7 ; Birmin gham News, 9/7 ). Alaska State -Federal Program to Incentivize Practicing Medicine in Alaska : The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is offering $1 million in combined state -federal funding for new doctors through the Alaska State Loan Repaym ent Program. The program will provide funding for recently graduated doctors to repay student loans to incentivize practicing medicine in Alaska and help address the state222s doctor, nurse, and dentist shortage. The program is slated to begin accepting ap plications in December and expects to fund 23 practitioners in 2010 ( KTUU, 9/5 ). Arizona State Eliminates SCHIP Coverage for Parents: Because of recent state budget cuts, the Arizona Health Ca re Cost Containment System is eliminating the state222s Kids Parents program effective September 30. The program, which is part of the state222s SCHIP program, previously provided health insurance to parents of children with incomes up to 200 percent of the FPL. The move will save the state $6 million annually and eliminate coverage for roughly 10,000 residents ( Arizona Republic, 9/8 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/8 ). Governor Requests Extension on Maricopa County Behavioral Health Report: Governor Jan Brewer (R) has requested additional time to prepare a status report on Maricopa County222s behavioral health system, citing the state budget battle (Financing News Pulse 7/13, 7/6 editions) as the reason for the SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 6 delay. The report is due for presentation in Maricop a County Superior Court , stemming from a nearly thirty -year-old lawsuit over the county222s treatment of individuals with serious mental illness (Financing News Pulse 5/26, 1/30 editions). The governor is asking the judge to extend the deadline for the repo rt from September 17 to October 20 ( Arizona Republic, 9/4 ). California Judge Orders State to Halt Cuts to Adult Day Health Care : On September 10 , U.S. District Judge Saundra B. Armstrong ordered the California Department of Health Care Services to halt its cuts to Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), a program that provides care to poor, elderly and disabled clients. The program was cut as part of a budget passed by the California Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on July 28 (Financing News Pulse 8/3 edition). The judge ruled that the state must provide other services to prevent institutionalization and ensure ADHC clients222 access to qu ality care. ( Contra Costa Times, 9/10 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/11 ). Sacramento County Sherriff222s Department Propose s Cuts to Jail Psychiatric Services: The Sacramento County Sherriff222s Department222s correctional health services division has proposed resolving a $444,996 budget cut by reducing a contract with the University of California Davis Health Systems for jail psychiatric services. The proposal would cut the contract by $720,800, from nearly $1 million to $276,804, eliminating 18 of the 46 staff ( Sacramento Press, 9/8 ). Colorado State Furloughs Affect Department of Health: In an effort to save $13.6 million and help close the state222s $1.8 billion budget shortfall, state government institutions in Colorado were close d September 8 and will close again October 9, November 27, and December 31. State care centers will remain open over the furloughs, however, the administrative offices for the Colorado Department of Health will be closed ( KUSA, 9/9 ). Hawaii Governor Outlines 223Fundamental224 Shift in Government, Expected to Affect Health Care : In a webcast on September 3, Governor Linda Lingle (R) outlined plans for a 223fundamental restructuring224 of the state government which she says will include layoffs and cuts to public assistance. Coming as a result of the state222s $884 million shortfall for the budget ending June 2011, the governor said her plan is likely to include decreased payments to social service programs and the elimination of state programs that can be effectively provided by federal and local entities. Hawaii222s constitution gives Governor Lingle wide discretion over state spending but the Hawaii Legislature could challenge the cuts by calling a special session ( AP via Forbes, 9/4 ). Court Sets Preliminary Date for Hawaii Medicaid Lawsuit: The U.S. District Court for Hawaii will allow a suit against the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) to proceed, scheduling a preliminary hearing for October 19. The suit, brought by Medicaid doctors and patients, contends that DH S222 decision to transition Hawaii222s Medicaid program from fee -for-service (FFS) to managed care violates the federal law requiring Medicaid programs to provide uninterrupted access to care (Financing News Pulse 3/20, 1/30 editions). The plaintiffs contend that the two managed care organizations, subsidiaries of SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 7 UnitedHealthCare and WellCare Health Plans Inc. , lack the networks to supply the needed coverage. Hawaii222s Medicaid program completed the transition to managed care on July 31 ( American Medical News, 9/7 ). Idaho Blue Cross of Idaho Partners with Health Integrated to Integrate M/SU Services : Under a deal reached between Blue Cross of Idaho and Health Integrated, Health Integrated will provide behavioral health management for the 545,000 member health plan. Health Integrated will provide strategic consulting and solution design and implement a customized set of behavioral health management services. The companies did not release the financial terms of the deal ( Tampa Bay Business Journal, 9/8 ). Boise Mayor Announces Construction of Detox Facility : On September 8, Boise Mayor David Bieter (D) announced the groundbreaking of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Crisis Center, slated to be completed March 1, 2010. The center, which will offer detoxification and emergency M/SU services, will cost $2.7 million to construct and have an annual operating budget of $1.8 million. Terry Reilly Health Services will run the center after it is completed ( KTVB, 9/8 ). Illinois Update: State Children222s Mental Health Funding Declining : The state budget, signed by Governor Pat Quinn (D) on July 15 (Financing News Pulse 7/20 edition), reduces funding for children222s mental health programs through the Illinois Department of Mental Health from $123.58 million in FY2009 to $121.78 million in FY2010 ( Northwest Herald, 9/4 ). Kansas KHPA Receives HRSA Grant to Upgrade Computer System : On September 3, the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) officials announced that KHPA will receive a five-year, $40.3 million grant from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). The grant will finance a new computer system to manage eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP and help ensure that all residents who qualify for the programs are enrolled ( AP via WDAF, 9/4 ). Wichita to Launch Mental Health Court : Through a $238,000 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ ) grant and $102,000 of in -kind support from the city government, Wichita will launch a new mental health court to act as a diversion program for non -violent mentally ill offenders. The city Prosecutor222s Office, the Public Defender222s Office, the Probation Department, and the county222s mental health agency will support the new court ( Wichita Eagle, 9/8 ). Massachusetts Lawmakers Consider Prisoner Mental Health Bills: On September 9, the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse heard testimony regarding two bills addressing the mental health needs of prisoners. One bill would mandate that any inmate attempting suicide or self -mutilation receive treatment within 12 hours and bar prison officials from punishing such inmates unless the action is part of a treatment plan. The other bill would require that sheriffs train prison and jail staff to recognize the symptoms of severe and persistent mental illness ( AP via WWLP, 9/7 ). SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 8 Hospital Eliminates 51 Behavioral Health Jobs : The Baystate Franklin Medical Center announced September 10 that it will eliminate 51 positions from its behavioral health unit as part of an effort to address the hospital222s $1.6 million deficit. Hospital officials said the behavioral health unit costs the hospital $500,000 annually because reimbursements do not cover costs. The layoffs take effect De cember 9 ( WGGB, 9/10 ). Michigan Governor Unveils Budget Proposal, Includes Health Cuts : On September 8, Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) unveiled her proposal to balance the state222s two -year bud get before the October 1 deadline. The governor222s plan would rely on $2.2 billion in budget cuts, $1.09 billion in tax increases and tax credit reductions, and $2 billion in ARRA funding. Under the plan, the Department of Community Health (DCH) would los e $150 million and the Department of Human Services would lose $100 million. The majority of the DCH cuts would come from reduced Medicaid reimbursements for doctors and hospitals ( Detroit Free Press, 9/9 ; Detroit News, 9/9 ). Missouri DSS Propos es Rule to Reduce Hospital Medicaid Reimbursements : Governor Jay Nixon222s (D) administration has proposed a Medicaid rule that would retract a payment adjustment made by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in 2005. The original adjustment was designed to lessen the effects of 2005 Medicaid cuts on state hospitals but has led to inflated estimates of hospital treatments and subsequent hospital overpayments. DSS222 proposed rule change would reduce Medicaid payments to hospitals by $139 million annually ( AP via FOX, 9/6 ). New Mexico Construction Begins on Behavioral Health Hospital : On September 9, Governor Bill Richardson (D) broke ground on the $12.8 million New Mexico Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital, slated to open December 2010, will provide rehabilitation services to state residents suffering from substance abuse disorders, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and strokes ( AP via KWES, 9/10 ). New York Judge Rules New York Violated Law in Housing the Mentally Ill: A Federal District Court in Brooklyn ruled that New York State violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by housing over 4,300 mentally ill individuals in New York City in adult homes that do not allow them to interact with the community. The judge ordered the state to submit a remediation plan by mid - October and the deci sion is expected to require the state to provide individual apartments or small homes for all interested residents.( New York Times, 9/8 ; Kaiser Health News, 9/9 ). North Carolina State Names New Assistant HHS Secretary for M/SU : Effective September 28 , Michael F. Watson will begin serving as the first Assistant Secreta ry of Mental Health Services Development for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Watson222s primary responsibility is building the state222s capacity to serve residents with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and sub stance abuse problems. Watson previously served as CEO for the Sand Hills Center for Mental SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 9 Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, a local management entity serving eight North Carolina counties ( News-Observer, 9/5 ; Stanly News and Press, 9/9 ). Free Clinics to Offer Psychiatric Services: The Albemarle Hospital Foundation222s community care c linics are arranging a deal with Port Human Services and East Carolina Behavioral Health to offer psychiatric services at the foundation222s facilities one day a week. The Kate B. Reynolds Foundation will fund the services, which are expected to begin within 8 weeks ( Daily Advance, 9/7 ). Ohio Governor Chooses Entity to Lead State EHR Effort : Governor Ted Strickland (D) appointed the Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP) to take the lead on developing a network of EHRs that will allow do ctors to access medical information about patients anywhere in the state. OHIP, a subsidiary of non - profit BioOhio, will work with the state Department of Insurance to construct the EHR network, using $8 million in state funds and the $30 million in ARRA funds that Ohio requested last week ( Cleveland Plain- Dealer, 9/9 ; Dayton Business Journal, 9/10 ). Clinic Expands Services with ARRA Funding : Using $758,000 in ARRA funds, the Butler County Community Health Consortium is expanding services, installing an EHR system, and opening a new pediatric health facility scheduled for completion in early fall. Since 2004, the consortium222s health centers have seen a 234 percent increase in patients ( Middletown Journal, 9/6 ). South Carolina Board Cuts State Budget 4 Percent, Health Affected: After first voting to delay budget cuts in the hopes that new reports would show a revenue increase, the South Carolina Budget and Control Board voted to cut the state budget by 4 percent acr oss-the -board, effective September 18. The cut will reduce the Department of Health and Human Services budget by $5.2 million ( Charleston Regional Business Journal, 9/4 ). Texas Update: El Paso County Commissioners to Fund Mental Health Facility : On September 9, the El Paso County Commissioners agreed to fund the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center of El Paso (MHMR) after a lack of funding forced the center to close on September 1, placing 1,500 clients on a waiting list (Financing News Pulse 9/1 edition). Under the deal, MHMR signed a contract ensuring that the 1,500 waitlisted client will receive treatment and the county commissioners agreed to give the center $153,000 a month to finance operations ( ABC, 9/9 ). Uta h State Begins Health Exchange Pilot : Under a program initiated in 2005 and finalized earlier this year when Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) signed HB 188 (Financing News Pulse 3/13, 2/27, 2/20 editions), Utah will offer an insurance exchange where individuals may select health insurance policies using preset employer contributions and pre -tax individual income. In a two -week pilot enrollment period, 2,333 workers from 136 companies with 2-50 employees signed up for the exchange. Next, employers will determine how much they will contribute and employees will select plans online to take effect SAMHSA222s Weekly Financing News Pulse September 14, 2009 9/14/09 10 January 1, 2010. State officials say that next year the program will be open to all small businesses and then to large companies in 2011. A separate part of the exchange facilitates the purchase of individual policies ( Business Week, 9/4 ; Utah Health Exchange, 9/11 ). Washingt on Judge Issues Injunction, Temporarily Reinstates DSHS Program for Elderly and Disabled : A U.S. District Court has ordered the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to restore the Adult Day Health services cut by the Washington Legis lature earlier this year (Financing News Pulse 5/26 edition). Effective July 1, DSHS eliminated the Adult Day Health services that provide 950 state residents with nursing and therapy services; however, as a result of a class action lawsuit, the judge rul ed that the state222s move violated both Medicaid and due process laws because it did not adequately inform the affected clients or seek replacement services. The state may reissue the cuts along with proper notification and an effort to provide the affected persons with other services ( Seattle Times, 9/5 ). Mental Health Clubhouse Makes Layoffs : The Val Ogden Center, a mental health clubhouse in Vancouver, Washingto n, was forced to lay off three of its five employees due to cost overruns in its recent remodeling. The center does not provide mental health treatment but provides a communal work environment for mental health clients in crisis ( Columbian, 9/6 ).
