PRINTER'S NO. 1890
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1482
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY GROVE, SCHWEYER, PHILLIPS-HILL, SAYLOR AND
D. COSTA, JUNE 2, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 2, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled
"An act relating to counties of the first, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending, revising,
consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto;
relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties, including
authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the rental of
motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and providing
for regional renaissance initiatives," providing for County
Nursing Facility Innovation Pilot Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130),
known as The County Code, is amended by adding an article to
read:
ARTICLE XXIX
COUNTY NURSING FACILITY INNOVATION PILOT PROGRAM
Section 2901. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"County nursing facility." As defined in section 801-A of
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the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human
Services Code.
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible participant." A county selected by the department
to participate in the program.
"Program." The County Nursing Facility Innovation Pilot
Program established under section 2902.
Section 2902. Pilot program.
(a) Establishment.--The County Nursing Facility Innovation
Pilot Program is established within the department to improve
health care outcomes for residents at county nursing facilities.
(b) Criteria and procedures.--The department shall establish
criteria and procedures for the selection of a county to become
an eligible participant.
(c) Flexible policies.--Notwithstanding any applicable
Federal or State law to the contrary, the program shall provide
each eligible participant with greater flexibility under the
department's existing rules and regulations to pursue the
following within a county nursing facility:
(1) Evidence-based methods and procedures to improve
health care outcomes for residents of a county nursing
facility.
(2) New methods to coordinate services with managed care
organizations and facilities.
(3) New methods to improve coordination for the delivery
of health care services to residents of a county nursing
facility.
(4) Incentives for available health care providers or
programs to partner with a county nursing facility to improve
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care for residents of a county nursing facility.
(5) Methods and policies to reduce costs for operating a
county nursing facility.
(6) The maximization of available grants to improve
funding for a county nursing facility.
(d) Incentives.--As part of the program, the department
shall develop and provide incentives which are based on evidence
of successful performance outcomes by an eligible participant.
Section 2903. Reports.
(a) Frequency and purpose.--Each eligible participant,
through its governing body, shall report biennially to the
department and provide the department with evidence and any
other related information required by the department regarding
performance outcomes under the program.
(b) Contents.--A report under this section shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
(1) A description of improved health care outcomes as a
result of the program.
(2) A description of improved coordination of care for
residents of a county nursing facility as a result of the
program.
(3) A description of increased partnerships with the
eligible participant and other available programs or health
care providers.
(4) Recommendations on how to further achieve the
objectives of the program.
Section 2904. Rules and regulations.
The department shall promulgate rules and regulations
necessary to implement the provisions of this article, which may
not increase costs for a county, county nursing facility or
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other organization which contracts for services with a county.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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