Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 1767 abolishes the existing Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and establishes a new Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. This bill directly affects the advisory structure for emergency medical services in the state. The new committee will expand from nine to eleven members, incorporating specific roles such as a fire-based ambulance service provider and an Emergency Medical Services Training Site Program Director. It also updates some member descriptions from "paramedic" to "clinician" and adjusts the number of members required for a quorum.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 amends the definition of "credentialing information" provided by the Arkansas State Medical Board to organizations that verify physician qualifications. This bill directly affects the information sharing process between the board and these credentialing organizations. Specifically, it removes the requirement for the board to include the status of a physician's United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate when providing this information. All other types of credentialing data, such as professional training, license status, and malpractice history, continue to be shared.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1850 amends Arkansas law regarding ground ambulance services and their reimbursement by health benefit plans. It clarifies the minimum allowable reimbursement rates for both in-network and out-of-network ambulance providers. Initially, these rates are based on agreements between the ambulance service provider and local government entities. However, starting July 1, 2025, if no such local rates exist, the minimum reimbursement will be the lesser of 325% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (Arkansas Rural Rate) or the provider's billed charges. This bill aims to alleviate confusion concerning reimbursement rates for ambulance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1833, amends the law concerning admissions at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. The provided text, Amendment No. 1, modifies specific conditions related to the number of qualified applicants. It specifies that certain admission provisions apply only if fewer than twenty-five applicants from a congressional district, or fewer than twenty-five Arkansas residents, meet published admissions standards and accept an offer. This directly affects prospective medical students and the College of Medicine's admissions process by setting thresholds for geographic and residency-based considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1863, amends the Transportation Benefit Manager Act to establish new payment rules for ambulance services in Arkansas. It mandates that healthcare insurers and transportation benefit managers pay ambulance providers 250% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule, Rural Rate for claims. Ambulance providers must accept this payment as full and are prohibited from "balance billing" patients for additional charges beyond their deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill also requires the Arkansas Ambulance Association to annually collect and submit local government ambulance service rates to the Insurance Commissioner. An emergency clause makes the act effective immediately to address existing conflicts in ambulance service reimbursement rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1817, also known as "Elijah's Law," establishes a statewide anaphylaxis policy for childcare facilities in Arkansas. The bill mandates the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and implement this policy. This measure aims to provide clear guidelines and procedures for managing severe allergic reactions in childcare settings. It directly affects all licensed childcare facilities and the children they serve across the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1869 establishes the Maternal Outcomes Management System within the Department of Health. This new system is intended to organize maternal health resources. The bill directly affects the Department of Health by creating this management system, aiming to improve the coordination and oversight of services related to maternal health.

Maddy summaryHB 1171 modifies the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act. The bill authorizes an abbreviated independent assessment process for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. This streamlined assessment, which may include a desk review, is specifically for beneficiaries who have chronic, long-term conditions, are enrolled in a risk-based provider organization, and have previously been approved for services through an independent assessment.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 allows volunteer fire departments that serve unincorporated areas of a county to levy dues. For a department to implement this, the county's quorum court must pass an ordinance, which then requires approval from a majority of registered voters in the affected fire protection district. These departments gain the ability to collect and enforce payment of delinquent dues. Additionally, active volunteer firefighters may be exempt from paying these annual dues at the department's discretion.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1602 amends the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act, establishing annual application fees for pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) operating in the state. The bill allows the commissioner to reduce these fees if a PBM demonstrates financial hardship, particularly when serving a limited number of Arkansas patients or offering limited services. While information from PBM examinations is generally confidential, certain reported data can be made available through a secure online database or directly upon request from Arkansas-licensed pharmacists, pharmacies, or their administrative organizations.