By Gary Emmert

In a significant victory for Texas long-term care providers, the Texas Legislature has passed Senate Bill 2269, a measure aimed at reducing unnecessary costs and burdens on facilities that serve elderly and vulnerable Texans. The bill, championed by Sen. Charles Perry and carried in the House by Rep. Christian Manuel, restores fairness and efficiency to the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process while eliminating the practice of “double-dipping” penalties.

Under SB 2269, decisions made by the Michigan Peer Review Organization, an independent third party contracted by the State of Texas to conduct IDR reviews, will now be binding on the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This ensures that long-term care providers receive a fair and consistent review process without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.

Additionally, the bill prohibits HHSC from imposing duplicate penalties on facilities that have already been fined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the same violation. This change prevents excessive financial strain on care providers, allowing them to focus on delivering quality services rather than navigating redundant fines.

“Today’s vote is a victory for common sense and due process in the oversight of the long-term care facilities that serve elderly and vulnerable Texans,” said Travis Clardy, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA). “We thank Sen. Perry and Rep. Manuel for their leadership. We also thank the Legislature for recognizing that care providers deserve a fair and efficient system that avoids piling on unnecessary, crushing duplicative penalties. This bill helps ensure continued accountability without undermining the stability of care facilities that Texas families rely on”.

With SB 2269 successfully passing both chambers, the legislation now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, the bill will provide much-needed relief to long-term care providers, ensuring they can continue to operate effectively while maintaining high standards of care for Texas residents.

For more details on Senate Bill 2269, visit the Texas Legislature’s official site here.