(Mar. 19, 2024) – Today, the House of Representatives worked the House budget bill, Substitute for House Bill 2273. The budget contains several components:

• $60.9 million, including $23.4 million State General Fund, in one-time funding to continue the Medicaid add-on payment to nursing facilities based on the number of Medicaid patients served for fiscal year 2025 only.

• $48.3 million, including $18.6 million SGF, to increase the average reimbursement rate for agency-directed personal care services on the Frail Elderly waiver to $30 per hour.
• $45.8 million, including $17.8 million SGF, to add 500 slots each to the Intellectual / Developmental Disability waiver and the Physical Disability waiver.
• $45.2 million, including $17.9 million SGF, to raise all Medicaid outpatient hospital provider codes by 30.0 percent.
• Add $2.5 million, including $1.0 million SGF, to increase the Medicaid rates for obstetrics and gynecology codes by 15.0 percent for FY 2025.
• $33.9 million, including $13.6 million SGF, to increase physician provider codes that are currently below 79.5 percent of the Medicare rate or have no equivalent Medicare rate, by 15.0 percent.
• $26.0 million, including $10.0 million SGF, to increase rates on Brain Injury, Physical Disability, Autism, Frail Elderly, and Technology Assisted waivers to match the rates offered on the Intellectual / Developmentally Disabled waiver.
• $15.0 million SGF for the Western Kansas Nursing Initiative.
• $14.3 million SGF for apprenticeship programs at two-year institutions.

During the debate, several amendments were made. Among those included:

• Language allowing the hospital provider assessment rate to increase to between 5 percent and 6 percent.
• An amendment mirroring the Senate language prohibiting drug manufacturers from interfering with the 340B Drug Discount Program.

The House will reconvene tomorrow for a final budget vote.