As announced in a previous email to members, the 2022 State Legislative Session ended on May 4, 2022, with the REPEAL of the State's Surgery Center Tax on Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). The repeal is effective as of July 1, 2022, and puts an end to 7 years of onerous taxation of ASCs.
Your Society submitted testimony, presented oral testimony, and advocated for a number of bills this session including prior authorization reforms and the collection of patient’s high deductible health plans responsibility by insurers not physicians. While these bills did not move forward this session, the consideration and discussion by the legislature will be helpful as we move into the 2023 session, when both of these matters will be raised again.
CT Legislators also approved, and signed by the Governor, the extension of telehealth provisions through 2024, including payment parity and the use of audio only telehealth.
Several other bills to protect changes in prescription in the Workers’ Compensation system and mandating same specialty for utilization review, supported by the Society did not make it out this session.
The COS also lobbied on the following bills, seeking amendments and language clarification prior to passage.
HB 5500 An Act Concerning the Department of Public Health’s Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes – Passed and signed by Governor Lamont.
Provisions to Note:
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Medical Assistants- Allows Medical Assistants to give vaccines under the supervision of a Physician, APRN, or Physician Assistants. PAs may only do this if included under a collaborative agreement with a physician.
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Scope Review Requirement – Any expansion must go through a scope review process with DPH.
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Surgical Smoke - Surgery facilities (other than GI and eye practices) must have a policy in place to deal with surgical smoke by Jan 1, 2024.
HB 5414 – An Act Concerning Protections for Persons Receiving and Providing Reproductive Health Care Services in The State - COS Submitted Opposing Testimony. Passed and signed by Governor Lamont.
- Opposed Physician Assistants, APRNs, and nurse-midwives performing surgical abortions. With negotiations, the amended language clarified non-surgical aspiration and medication abortions and added language that they can only perform these procedures consistent with their scope of practice as defined in statute.
- Opposed this bill as it would inhibit individual contracting, sets a dangerous precedent for all professionals who contract for their services and has the potential to increases cost to an already burdened healthcare system.
HB 5430 - An Act Concerning Opioids – Signed by Governor.
Adds to the existing statute that a prescribing practitioner prescribing an opioid drug for greater than 12 weeks shall include to the extent possible nonopioid treatment. The addition to the nonopioid treatment includes chiropractic and spinal cord stimulation.
Please contact the COS via email at ctorthoexec@gmail.com or by phone at 860-690-1146, if you have questions or would like additional information.
