MHA Today | September 29, 2021

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon

The state Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Accountability issued recommendations regarding abortion providers and their family planning affiliates. This aspect of the committee’s work focuses on Planned Parenthood. The committee’s report calls for new authority to suspend or revoke Missouri Medicaid participation if the provider has been suspended or revoked in another state for fraudulent, abusive or unethical behavior, which would be grounds for such action in Missouri. The committee plans to release a second report on Medicaid topics before the 2022 legislative session.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told congressional leaders that the federal debt ceiling will be exceeded by Monday, Oct. 18, if Congress does not act to raise or suspend the current debt limit. Noting the “unavoidable variability” and unpredictability of federal cash flows, Yellen emphasizes “the critical importance of not waiting to raise or suspend the debt limit.”

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

While some Missouri hospitals have implemented policies and procedures related to human trafficking, many are looking for resources to inform the development of such policies, procedures and staff education. That’s why MHA and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office collaborated to develop resources to help combat human trafficking.

A group of experts from Missouri hospitals and the AG’s Human Trafficking Taskforce developed a Human Trafficking Toolkit, as well as 14 online education modules. Hospitals can use the toolkit to formulate multidisciplinary teams to develop policies and procedures for the identification and treatment of trafficking victims. In addition, the on-demand availability of the modules will make the staff education process efficient and cost-effective.

With an estimated 88% of sex trafficking victims encountering the health care system at some point while being trafficked, we hope these resources will help hospitals make an impactful difference.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade or Shawn Billings

Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, MO HealthNet will require providers prescribing controlled substances for MO HealthNet participants to check a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Documentation requirements are found at Section 13.22 of the MO HealthNet Pharmacy Manual.

This policy applies only to providers in jurisdictions that participate in the St. Louis PDMP. Providers in nonparticipating jurisdictions are exempt.

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health created a template and instructions for institutions needing to enroll large numbers of providers for access to its PDMP.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services filed an emergency rule regarding the hearing process for appealing the transfer or discharge of a resident in long-term care. The department will conduct the hearings related to transfer and discharge appeals instead of the Missouri Department of Social Services. This change took effect Sept. 16. A proposed rule, which mirrors the emergency rule, also was filed. Public comment will be accepted by the department until Monday, Nov. 1.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Brian Kinkade

The MO HealthNet Division issued Provider Bulletin 44-16 effective for dates of service on or after Friday, Oct. 1. The bulletin recognizes Child-Parent Psychotherapy as one of the evidence-based practices eligible for enhanced reimbursement when delivered to children who have experienced severe trauma.

Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga

The Missouri Foundation for Health Opportunity Fund is opening grants to support innovative ideas and approaches that address systemic inequities and have a lasting impact on the health of Missouri’s individuals and communities most in need. Projects should utilize community-driven solutions to address social determinants of health and structural inequities. Links to additional guidance, application instructions and the online application system are available on the program website. Interested entities are encouraged to submit a concept paper by Thursday, Nov. 4. Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal, with an expected deadline in January 2022.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings or Kaylen Payne

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released a public safety alert this week warning about an alarming increase in counterfeit prescription drugs being sold on the black market containing potentially lethal doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The DEA says the counterfeit pills are made to look like real opioid medications and are being sold both on the street by dealers and online, typically through social media platforms.

These pills have been found in every U.S. state with the agency seizing more than 9.5 million fake pills this year alone. In response, the DEA launched a new campaign One Pill Can Kill, which provides tools for communities, including a counterfeit pill fact sheet and a media toolbox.

Staff Contact: Dana Dahl

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the Emergency Rural Health Care Program helps broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. The program offers the following two tracks of funding to eligible applicants.

• Track One: Recovery Grants provide immediate relief to address economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency. Applications are accepted until funds are expended.
• Track Two: Impact Grants advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health. The application deadline for Track Two is Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

It is important for health care leaders to create a proactive work environment that supports the mental well-being of their staff. MHA compiled resources to provide guidance in supporting employees’ mental health to ensure they are able to care for their patients.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

To unveil insights from its 2021 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey, Gallagher is hosting a webinar, “Emerging Stronger: A Benchmarking Approach for Healthcare Leaders,” at 1 p.m. CDT Thursday, Oct. 7. During the event, speakers will discuss the ongoing COVID-19 impact on the workforce, benefits trends, and strategies to create and sustain a culture of total well-being.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The American Hospital Association is hosting a webinar, “Workforce Resilience for Tomorrow – Our Biggest Test Yet,” at noon CDT Wednesday, Oct. 13. Participants will learn how health care organizations and leaders can build resilience for their workforce with simple steps.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

Offered by the Missouri Health Professional Placement Services and the Missouri Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, the 2021 3RNET Learning Academy, “Retention and Regeneration: Enhancing your Recruitment for Retention Process from the Ground Up,” is open for registration. The complimentary six-part webinar series begins Tuesday, Oct. 6, and the series will highlight retention and recruitment; diversity, equity and inclusion; successful hiring practices; employee engagement; and clinician well-being and resilience. Register online, and use coupon code MO3RNet21 during checkout.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

APS Staffing, partnered and powered by Qualivis, offers an on-demand webinar recording, “Healthcare Staffing State of the Market,” and qualitative market research study, “Mind the Gap,” both presented by AYA Healthcare. To learn more about the webinar, visit the APS website.

A division of APS, APS Staffing is a standalone service available to any health care organization in Kansas and Missouri, regardless of its group purchasing affiliation. For more information on how APS staffing can benefit your organization, contact Dennis George at 913-327-8730.