This bill (S 903) creates state-funded training programs for family members and other unpaid caregivers supporting people needing daily assistance due to disability or age. It expands the definition of "informal caregiver" to include non-household members (like older adults caring for minor relatives) and defines "person in need of assistance" broadly to cover those requiring help with daily tasks, including minors with disabilities. Key provisions require the state director to develop culturally sensitive training covering health knowledge, practical care skills, stress management, and resource access, delivered through caregiver resource centers and local networks. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature tracking program participation and effectiveness in improving care quality.
Bill S 4589 modifies how Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are reimbursed for their operating costs. Beginning in April 2025, and every three years thereafter, the department will analyze actual FQHC costs over the prior five years, considering factors like services provided, staffing, and technology. Based on this analysis, the department will develop and issue updated payment rates, removing existing payment ceilings or caps. The bill ensures that no FQHC will receive a lower operating cost component or overall payment rate than what was applied before September 30, 2025.
Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.
Allows a licensed pharmacist to prescribe and order FDA-approved medication assisted therapy under a non-patient-specific regimen for the treatment of opioid use disease.
Expands the description of certain services which are not prohibited by statutes governing the practice of nursing, including direct support staff to nurses.
Requires certain entities to stock opioid antagonists and to store naloxone nasal sprays with or adjacent to automated external defibrillator cabinets.
Directs the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports to promulgate rules and regulations for providers operating in rural locations while taking into account the extra challenges encountered by such providers, including but not limited to, increased and additional expenses.
Establishes the rare disease advisory council to identify best practices, raise awareness regarding rare diseases, evaluate barriers to access to care, and to make recommendations to the legislature and the governor.
S 2400 creates a workgroup to study blood clots and pulmonary embolisms in the state. The workgroup, appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, will include healthcare providers, patients, family members, and advocates. It must study annual incidence rates, current data collection methods, patient impacts, care standards, emerging treatments, and develop a risk surveillance system. The workgroup will issue policy recommendations within one year to improve patient awareness, surveillance in healthcare facilities (like hospitals), and written risk notices for patients. These recommendations will be published by the health department after submission.
Requires hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing a hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies and programs.
