Legislative UpdateCollege of Nursing Alumni Meeting

1

Legislative Update

2

State Update 2013

• Annual Hospital Assessment Fee– Still at a 4.52% rate on net patient

revenues– Covers 7% provider reduction from

TennCare reimbursement rates– Signed by Governor in April

3

State Update 2013• UTHSC Budget Update

– 3.5% increase in operational funding for Medical Units

– $14.8 million commitment over 5 years to fund pediatric physician scientists; matches $15 million in funding by St. Jude

– 1.5% pay raises for employees of higher education institutions

4

State Update 2013• UTHSC Budget Update

– Full funding of $66,500,000 for the UTHSC Classroom & Laboratory Building and Renovations. Renovates Nash, Crowe & Mooney Buildings.

– $5 million in Capitol Maintenance for General Education Building Improvements.

5

Medicaid Expansion In a special Joint Session, Governor Bill

Haslam announced his decision to reject federal funding to expand Medcaid as envisioned by the Affordable Care Act.

He is pursuing an alternative Proposal called “The Tennessee Plan.”

“The Tennessee Plan” is awaiting clarification/approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

6

“The Tennessee Plan” Hybrid plan using federal funding to purchase

private health insurance for an estimated 175,000 uninsured Tennesseans

Applicable to those with incomes below 138% of Federal Poverty Level (about $32,000 for a family of four)

Federal Gov’t would provide all of the funding to purchase the insurance on the insurance exchange marketplace through 2016; not less than 90% thereafter

By 2020, this would bring $6 billion in federal funds to Tennessee

7

“The Tennessee Plan” Items awaiting CMS approval include:

Benefits and Appeals process would mirror other enrollees in exchange plans, not TennCare

No wrap around services No special consideration for “medically frail”

population Population would have same cost-sharing

requirements as others under the exchange Arrangement would have a circuit-breaker so that

the General Assembly would have to reauthorize plan in three years

8

Legislation of Interest

• SB 529/ HB 49 – Regulates nurse practicioners prescribing certain drugs

• SB 412/ HB 306 – Expands certain enhanced punishment for assault and aggravated assault applicable to healthcare providers acting in the discharge of their duties

9

Federal Update 2013

• FY 2014 Budget Chronology– March 21: House passes H.Con.Res.25– March 23: Senate passes S.Con.Res. 8– April 10: President’s Budget

10

Federal Update 2013

• President’s FY 2014 Budget– Proposes additional $1.8 trillion in deficit

reduction over 10 years– Assumes sequestration is replaced by

“balanced” deficit reduction– FY 2013 numbers do not reflect

sequestration

11

Federal Update 2013

• Title VIII Nursing Workforce

– FY 2012 Final: $231.1 million

– FY 2013 *Estimated*: $218.9 million

– FY 2014 President’s Budget: $251.1 million

• +14.7% change v. FY 13 estimate

• Title VIII Advanced Nursing Education:

– HRSA program supporting infrastructure grants; traineeships; and grants to accelerate production of primary care advanced practice nurses

– $83.5 million

– If sustained over 5 years, HRSA estimates the investment will increase the number of advanced practice RNs by 1400.

12

• UT Advocacy is the official grassroots network of the UT System.

• Advocates believe in the value of UT to all Tennesseans, and share that message with elected officials.

• Those interested in advocating for the University and it’s priorities should subscribe to the network online: advocacy.tennessee.edu/speakout

UT Advocacy Overview

13

Advocacy Network: Benefits

• Weekly report of legislative activity during session via email

• Frequent web & social media updates regarding current UT issues

• Candidate information during elections (issue surveys, etc).

14

Important Advocacy Practices

• One of the most important things you can do to help advocate for UT is stay informed on key issues like these.

• Being able to discuss issues with elected officials in a clear and cogent manner makes all the difference in legislative advocacy.

15

Important Advocacy Practices

• When talking to elected officials, make sure you tell YOUR UT story. Let them know how UT has impacted your life, career, and community.

• Communicate with elected officials on a regular basis. Visit with them in their districts at town hall meetings, issue forums, etc.

16

Online Resources

Twitter: @UTAdvocator

Facebook.com/UTAdvocacy

http://advocacy.tennessee.edu

17