Announcement

President's Report
by: Rod Betit (January 26, 2007)

Summary: Commissioner Karleen Jackson issued a decision on January 23, 2007 determining that a proposed addition of an MRI to a group orthopedic practice in Juneau, Juneau Bone and Joint Center, does not require CON review.

Full Story: PRESIDENT’S REPORT January 26, 2007 LEGISLATIVE SNAPSHOT (‘Ctrl + click’ on Bill # takes you to latest version of bill on Web) (Red font denotes change in status since last update) House Bills Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status HB4 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Lynn An Act amending the CON requirements to apply only to health care facilities that are nursing homes or residential psychiatric treatment centers or that are located in a borough with a population of not more than 25,000, in the unorganized borough, or in a community with a critical access hospital. Oppose In HES No Hearing Scheduled HB18 Refer to HES & Finance Meyer An Act making WWHAMI amendments that change the functions and powers of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to give it authority to increase the number of medical students placed, and adds a requirement for payback of financial assistance if the student does not return to Alaska to practice medicine. Strongly Support In HES Hearing on Jan 30 @ 3PM HB35 Refer to L&C, & Finance Kawasaki An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an effective date. Neutral In L&C, No Hearing Scheduled HB55 Refer to HES & Finance Kelly An Act relating to Postsecondary Education that authorizes expansion of the WWHAMI program to 20 students. Strongly Support In HES, Hearing on Jan 30 @ 3PM HB71 Refer to L&C & Finance Kawasaki An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology Pending- reviewing Tribal concerns In L&C, No Hearing Scheduled Senate Bills Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status SB8 Refer to HES, JUD & Finance Davis Relating to a mental health patient’s right to choose the gender of the hospital staff providing intimate care to the mental health patient and to the duties of hospital staff in caring for patients receiving mental health treatment. Oppose In HES, No Hearing Scheduled SB27 Refer to HES & Finance Davis Relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children, pregnant women and persons in medical or intermediate care facilities. Pending In HES, No Hearing Scheduled SB28 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Davis Relating to limitations on mandatory overtime for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in health care. Oppose In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB29 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Dyson Requiring certain hospitals to make certain disclosures on patient billings. Pending Meeting with Sponsor In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB32 Refer to HES & Finance Wilken An Act relating to postsecondary educational services and programs for Alaska residents; relating to a student loan repayment program for medical doctors, and amending the duties of the State Medical Board that relate to the program; relating to a student loan repayment program for registered nurses, and amending the duties of the Board of Nursing that relate to the program Support In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB62 Refer to HES & Finance Stevens An Act establishing the Advisory Committee on Public Reporting of Health Care Associated Infections, relating to reporting and dissemination of data concerning health care associated infections, and providing for an effective date. Pending Exec Committee Review In HES No Hearing Scheduled Other Measures Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status None at this time ________________________________________ Commissioner Karleen Jackson issued a decision on January 23, 2007 determining that a proposed addition of an MRI to a group orthopedic practice in Juneau, Juneau Bone and Joint Center, does not require CON review. The decision was requested by Bartlett Regional Hospital given their understanding of existing CON regulations that requires a CON review if an MRI is being added in the community at a cost exceeding the CON dollar threshold. The Commissioner ruled that Juneau Bone and Joint Center did not have to submit their project for CON review because the physician office exemption in state CON law overrides other CON rules provided certain conditions are met. The Commissioner reasoned that “for the purposes of determining whether a Certificate of Need is required in accordance with 7AAC07.031, physicians’ offices that include imaging services remain exempt from Certificate of Need requirements provided that:  The imaging equipment is owned entirely by the physician or physicians providing professional services in the practice;  Imaging services will be provided solely for the diagnosis and treatment of the patients of the physician or physicians who constitute the practice;  Imaging services will not be provided to other physicians or entities; and  The imaging equipment will be physically located in the same building as the physicians’ offices and will be integral to those offices.” Comment: It is estimated that the introduction of a competing MRI in Juneau will reduce radiology revenue at Bartlett by $800,000 annually or more. If the professional component of interpreting the MRIs is done outside of Juneau via a telehealth arrangement (which is very likely), the loss revenue to the hospital grows even more. Bartlett has an opportunity to appeal this decision but at this writing has not announced its decision whether to file an appeal. ________________________________________ Brian Gilbert wants to retire in June 2007 and he needs our help to find a suitable successor. Brian has purchased a new travel trailer and is anxious to point it down the open road this summer to see some of the U.S. that he and Patty have not yet traveled. Brian is asking for help from the readers of this newsletter in identifying potential candidates who have training in hospital administration, health care administration, or a closely related field, preferably with several years of successful administrative experience in a small rural hospital. Other health care experience could qualify depending on the candidate’s ability to demonstrate how it would position him/her to be successful in running Wrangell Medical Center. Wrangell Medical Center is on a solid financial footing and would be a great opportunity for someone mid-way in their health career to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired. A major draw for interested candidates would be the opportunity to become immediately involved in the design of a new hospital for Wrangell. A building site has already been selected. Please let Brian know if you are aware of anyone who might be a good candidate for this opening. Let’s all put our personal networks in motion to help Brian find a successor. You can reach Brian at bgilbert@wmcmail.org or @ 907 874-7164. Thanks for your help!! ________________________________________ The deadline for submitting 2007 ASHNHA dues payments and receive a 5% early payment discount is January 31, 2007. Be sure your organization’s payment is made in time to receive this discount. If you are not uncertain if your dues payment has been received at ASHNHA, please contact Brenda MacKinnon, ASHNHA Office Manager, at 586-1790. ________________________________________ Upcoming Meetings of Interest: • ASHNHA 2007 Winter Meeting (Juneau) - NEW DATES March 29-30, 2007. A room block has been reserved at the Gold Belt Hotel for the nights of March 29 and 30. The phone numbers are - toll-free: 888-478-6909 or 907-586-6900. Meetings will be held at the Centennial Hall adjacent to the Hotel. The ASHNHA Board meeting will occur on March 30. • AHA Annual Meeting (D.C.) - May 6 through 9, 2007 in Washington, D.C. • National Rural Health Association Meeting (Anchorage) - May 14 through 17, 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska. • ASHNHA 2007 Annual Meeting (Petersburg) – to be held in conjunction with education sessions August 6 through August 9, 2007 in Petersburg. The ASHNHA meeting will take place on August 8 & 9.

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January 26 2007.pdf