Committee on Appropriations:
The Joint Committee on Appropriations is currently listening to agencies that have a relatively smaller percentage of general fund expenses in the budget. Week 4 budgets included budgets from the Board of Regents central office, University of South Dakota, University of South Dakota School of Law, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, South Dakota State University, South Dakota State University Extension, South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Northern State University, Department of Tourism, Department of Game, Fish & Parks and finally the Department of Agriculture.
Provider related agency hearings for the 2019 Joint Appropriations are currently scheduled at the following times:
- Department of Health- Tuesday, February 5th; 8-9 a.m.
- Correctional Health- Wednesday, February 5th; 8-10 a.m.
- Human Services- Wednesday, February 6th; 8-10 a.m.
- Social Services- Monday, February 11th; 8-11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, February 12th; 8-9 a.m.
Currently, the Joint Committee on Appropriations, nor the Senate and House Committee on Appropriations have health care related bills on their agenda.
House Health and Human Services Committee:
House Health & Human Services Committee met for two days this week.
Jan. 29, the committee heard three bills.
HB 1060 To make an appropriation for increased reimbursement for care of residents of nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.
Members of the South Dakota House Health & Human Services committee deliberated on HB1060 a bill that would use $8M in state funds, matched with about $10M in federal funds to aid nursing homes annual $42M short fall.
The committee voted thirteen to zero to send the bill to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration, representatives stated with the fiscal year ending general bill a simple majority is required rather than a two thirds majority.
SB 30 To remove certain unnecessary federal references and dates from certain provisions relating to the Department of Social Services.
The bill had no opposition and passed the committee and placed on the House consent calendar.
The bill had no opposition and passed the committee and placed on the House consent calendar. This bill has passed both Chambers and will be sent to the Governor’s desk.
SB 32 To revise the composition of the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
The bill had no opposition and passed the committee and place on the House consent calendar. This bill has passed both Chambers and will be sent to the Governor’s desk.
Jan. 31, the committee heard two bills.
HB 1124 require health care facilities that perform mammography to inform mammography patients on breast density.
This bill mandates a specific communication for standard of care and communication between the physician and the patient. The committee passed this bill with a 10 to 1 vote and will be heard on the House floor.
HB 1055 require parental notification and agreement before the institution of an order to withhold resuscitation from certain patients.
Scheduled meeting for a short time Thursday morning to hear HB 1028, an act to revise certain provisions regarding professional counselors and marriage and family therapists.
This bill is Simon’s Law. The opponents to the bill were from the South Dakota Medical Association stating this is a redundant bill and not necessary as the law is stating current common practice as well as facility procedures. The committee passed this bill unanimously.
House Health Committee has not scheduled bill hearings for next week.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee:
The Senate Health & Human Services Committee met for two days this week.
Jan. 28, the committee heard four bills.
SB 78 exempt certain medical providers from licensure.
The bill had a great discussion with no opposition during committee. It passed out of committee unanimous and placed on the Senate consent calendar. It passed the Senate without opposition with a 31-0 vote and was sent over the House where it was referred to the House Health Committee for a committee hearing.
SB 62 provide for the use of certain general funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for existing Medicaid providers.
The bill had a great debate in the senate committee and passed out of committee on a 6-1 vote earlier in the week. The Senate amended the bill on the floor and then ultimately killed the bill with a vote of 16-16.
HB 1012 revise certain provisions regarding state laboratory services.
The bill had no opposition and passed the committee unanimously.
HB 1013 require criminal background investigations for certain vital records employees.
The bill had no opposition and passed the committee and placed on the Senate consent calendar. This bill has passed both Chambers and will be sent to the Governor’s desk.
Jan. 30, the committee heard four bills.
SB 118 establish certain provisions regarding advance care planning.
This bill is the MOST bill which had a great discussion without opposition during committee. It passed out of committee unanimously.
SB 136 provide for the utilization of telehealth by a health care professional.
This is the first of the two telehealth bill package. It passed out of the Senate committee unanimously and placed on the Senate consent calendar.
SB 137 provide for the payment of claims for covered services provided by a health care professional via telehealth.
This is the second of the two telehealth bill package. The dentists brought an amendment to the bill that didn’t change the intent of the bill and was adopted by the committee. The committee passed the amended bill out of committee unanimously.
SB 84 authorize the possession and administration of opioid antagonists by school district and nonpublic school personnel.
This bill was brought to ensure school districts were on an equal footing to other public areas that have the authorization to posses and administer opioid antagonists. The bill passed out of committee on a 7-0 vote and place on the Senate consent agenda.
Senate Health Committee has canceled their bill hearing on Feb 6.
Bill Watch (Click the Link to be directed to the list of bills SDAHO is currently monitoring)
Basic Session Statistics Week 4:
Senate Bills introduced: 188
House Bills introduced: 272
Senate Concurrent Resolutions introduced: 7
House Concurrent Resolutions introduced: 4
Senate Joint Resolutions: 5
House Joint Resolutions: 7
2019 State Legislative Cracker Barrels and Legislative Coffees:
State Legislative Cracker Barrels and Legislative Coffees are being held around the state. SDAHO members are encouraged to meet with state legislators. These events are free and open to the public. Click here for dates and locations.
