HB 7189, An Act Concerning Medicaid Cost Savings

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 7189, An Act Concerning Medicaid Cost Savings. CHA has concerns about the bill, as written.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state. Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.

HB 7189 can be interpreted to require the Department of Social Services (DSS) to review delegation of medication administration, as allowed in Section 19a-492e of the General Statutes, and study cost savings from “expanding the use of such delegation.”

The bill language gives the impression that DSS is the right agency to advise on expanding statutory permissions relating to nurse delegation of medication administration. Those delegation rules have serious impacts relating to quality of care, scope of practice, and immunity for certain actions of professionals who are licensed or otherwise overseen by the Department of Public Health (DPH).

DSS is not the correct agency to review and report on administration rules for medications, at least not in isolation.

At a minimum, the bill should be revised to require DPH to advise DSS with respect to the review and report.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.