Submitted by Lee Dobson, Area Director, NC Government Affairs (GAO)

1. Certificate of Need (CON) under Attack  In the course of 48 hours 4 bills related to CON were filed to either eliminate or modify CON law. As any changes to CON will negatively impact our existing Medicare offices, our GAO Advisory Council identified protection of CON as a 2017 legislative goal. GAO continues to meet with the various bill sponsors to educate them the negative impact such changes would have on the home health industry. We continue to work behind-the-scenes to prevent their enactment.
2. Medicaid Reform under Review  While the Medicaid Reform 1115 c Waiver application is being reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), there is discussion of a new model emerging from Governor Roy Cooper’s office in conjunction with the General Assembly. GAO continues to work with legislative leaders and the department to ensure quality access to care exists in whatever model emerges.
3. Trillium LME/MCO Proposed CAP-C/DA Pilot  Senator Michael Lee sponsored a bill to allow Trillium Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO), a managed mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental disability payor, to administer a CAP-C/DA pilot in the coastal area. Analysis of the bill indicates this pilot would have a negative impact on recipients. GAO is working with the bill sponsor to explain the pitfalls of moving coastal recipients into a pilot when these individuals are currently transitioning into a new waiver.
4. Opioid Bill’s Unintended Consequence  Representative Gregory Murphy sponsored a bill to tighten opioid prescriptions. While we support increased oversight for misuse of prescriptions drugs, the bills language, in its current state, will create a safe-haven for pillpushers. AHHC is taking the lead to work with the bill sponsor to modify the language to eliminate the loop-hole and craft a meaningful bill, as intended.