Legislative Update – Week Eleven

Under the Golden Dome

The House has now moved 7 of the 10 budget bills.   The Senate has not started budget work but anticipate it happening quickly over the next couple of weeks.  Most notable in the budget process is the House version of the health and human services budget which creates a new state department by merging DHS and DPS.  This doesn’t happen immediately but it’s certainly interesting to see a new department created in a budget bill.

 

Bills of Interest   (bills that saw action are noted by *)

 

*HF 2549:  This bill creates a mental health provider loan repayment program and provides $1.5 million.  Any mental health provider, including prescribing providers, would be eligible for a four-year loan repayment agreement if that individual practices in a federally designated mental health shortage area.   Mental health counselors are eligible for $8,000 a year, up to a maximum of $40,000 for making a 5-year commitment to practice in a shortage area.   To be eligible, a person must be an enrolled Medicaid provider for the five years.  And, a city or other entity must provide a community match of $4,000 to the fund.   IMHCA is registered in support.  The bill passed the House on a 96-2 vote.  It is paired with SF 2195 on the Senate debate calendar.

 

*HF 2167:  Clarifies that autism is a mental health condition by aligning state and federal definitions.  IMHCA is registered in support of the bill. The bill passed the House on a 95-0 vote and was approved by the Senate unanimously.  

 

HF 2200/SF 2276:  These bills expand current statutory authority to establish a direct healthcare agreement between any licensed healthcare provider and a patient.  Current law only allows that to occur between a primary care provider and a patient.   A direct healthcare agreement means that the provider agrees to provide specific services to the patient for a specified time and for a service charge.  IMHCA is registered as undecided.  HF 2200 passed the House on a 90-9 vote and SF 2276 was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee.  

 

HF 2399:  This bill prohibits revoking a prior authorization when reimbursement is submitted and requires that a prior authorization is valid for at least ninety days.   IMHCA is registered in support.  The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee.

 

HF 2416:  Prohibits schools, community colleges, private colleges and regents institutions from allowing transgender girls from participating in girls sports.  IMHCA is registered opposed.  The bill was signed  by the governor on March 3, 2022.

 

*HF 2554:  Requires Medicaid to cover functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth.   IMHCA is registered in support of the bill.  The bill passed the House unanimously and is in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

*HF 2575:  Education appropriations bill includes items of interest to IMHCA members:

  • $1.5 million for mental health loan repayment program if HF 2549 is enacted (new money)
  • $3.8 million for children’s mental health services and training in schools ($200,000 increase)

The bill was approved by the House Appropriations Committee and is eligible for floor debate.

 

*HHS Budget Bill: Provides policy and funding of interest to IMHCA members:

  • Includes language from HF 2554, functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy
  • Creates a department of Health and Human Services by merging DHS and DPH
    • Requires the two departments to have a transition plan by September 30, 2022
    • Requires draft transition legislation by October 1, 2022
    • Current structure of the two departments remains until legislative action

SF 2354:  Extends Medicaid coverage for post-partum support for up to one year after birth.  IMHCA is registered in support. The bill passed the Senate Human Resources Committee and is in the Senate Appropriations Committee.