To require the Department of Human Services to seek federal permission to use Medicaid funds to create incentives for individual recipients who practice specified positive health behaviors. (Not smoking, losing weight, and actually showing up for doctor's appointments have been specified in earlier proposals by the sponsor.) The incentives may include expanded benefits; positive or negative incentives relating to premiums, co-pays, or benefits; and more. The bill would also allow the Department of Community Health to create pay-for-performance incentives for contracted Medicaid HMOs that meet health outcome targets for chronic diseases, and patient compliance targets established by the department. It would allow the department to establish a preferred provider program for durable medical equipment, and provide financial support using Medicaid funds for electronic health records, including e-prescriptions, web-based medical records and other health information technology initiatives.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

To require the Department of Human Services to seek federal permission to use Medicaid funds to create incentives for individual recipients who practice specified positive health behaviors. (Not smoking, losing weight, actually showing up for doctor's appointments are some of the these.) The incentives may include expanded benefits; positive or negative incentives relating to premiums, co-pays, or benefits; and more. The bill would also allow the Department of Community Health to create pay-for-performance incentives for contracted Medicaid HMOs that meet health outcome targets for chronic diseases, and patient compliance targets established by the department. It would allow the department to establish a preferred provider program for durable medical equipment, and provide financial support using Medicaid funds for electronic health records, including e-prescriptions, web-based medical records and other health information technology initiatives.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that "tie bars" the bill to Houses Bills 5194 and 5198, tax hikes that total $1.5 billion.

To require the Department of Human Services to seek federal permission to use Medicaid funds to create incentives for individual recipients who practice specified positive health behaviors. (Not smoking, losing weight, actually showing up for doctor's appointments are some of the these.) The incentives may include expanded benefits; positive or negative incentives relating to premiums, co-pays, or benefits; and more. The bill would also allow the Department of Community Health to create pay-for-performance incentives for contracted Medicaid HMOs that meet health outcome targets for chronic diseases, and patient compliance targets established by the department. It would allow the department to establish a preferred provider program for durable medical equipment, and provide financial support using Medicaid funds for electronic health records, including e-prescriptions, web-based medical records and other health information technology initiatives. Passage of the bill occurred as part of a deal to avoid reducing state spending in the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year by imposing $1.5 billion in tax increases, including an income tax hike (House Bill 5194) a new 6 percent tax on many personal and business services (House Bill 5198).

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which tie-bars it to a state income tax hike (House Bill 5194) and a new 6 percent tax on many personal and business services (House Bill 5198), part of a deal to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget.