Lobbyist Update February 23, 2024

Bills of Interest

Bills marked with an * have seen movement

HF 2210:  This bill prohibits hospitals and licensing boards from asking about an applicant’s mental health or substance abuse conditions.   The bill was approved by the House State Government committee and is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered in support.

HF 2268:  This bill places time limits on review of Medicaid claims to no more than 24 months unless fraud or misrepresentation is alleged.  The bill was approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered in support of the bill.

*HF 2271: This bill requires health facilities to disclose electronic health records to parents unless otherwise protected by law.   The bill is eligible for debate on the House floor.   IMHCA is registered undecided on the bill.

HF 2389:  The governor has proposed legislation that would establish a definition in code of man, woman and family.  In addition it would require that anyone undergoing procedures or medication to change genders have their gender at birth and current gender on all official documents.  The bill passed House Education and is eligible for floor debate.  IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.

*HF 2402:  This bill requires DHHS to institute a tiered reimbursement rate for psychiatric medical institutions for children.   The bill was amended in committee to significantly alter the underlying bill.  The bill passed the House and is before the Senate Health and Human Resources Committees.  IMHCA is registered undecided because it is unclear if the rate increase is to be budget neutral and what impact that could have on other reimbursement rates.

HF 2486:  This bill allows a licensed individual to carryforward any excess CEU credits into the next renewal cycle not to exceed 50% of the required credits for that cylce.  The bill passed the House State Government Committee and is eligible for the debate calendar. IMHCA is registered in support.

HF 2488:  This bill creates a  pilot program for prior authorization with the MCOs to seek improvements to that process.  The bill passed the House Commerce Committee and is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered in support.

*HF 2509/SF 2354:  The governor is proposing to replace the existing system with a new behavioral health service system that will encompass 7 regions.  The goal is to:

  • Establish behavioral health districts to assure equitable access to services
  • Designate administrative service organizations (ASOs) to oversee
  • Develop a State Behavioral Health Service System plan

Both bills are eligible before their respective chambers Appropriations Committees.  The Senate subcommittee of Edler, Costello and Petersen moved the bill to the full committee with recommendation of an amendment (we have not seen the specific amendment language yet).  The House subcommittee comprised of Fry, Meyer and Wessel-Kroschell have not yet met. IMHCA is registered undecided with concerns about the elimination of statutory requirements for core services.

*HF 2512: This bill authorizes Iowa’s entry into the social work compact.  The bill passed the House and is before the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.  IMHCA is registered in support.

*HF 2515:  This bill does two things.  First, it aligns the requirements for licensure by endorsement or MHCs and MFTs with the current process used by social workers.  The board of behavioral science is moving a rule through the process that also accomplishes this.   Second, the bill prohibits the boards of social work and behavioral science from requiring that the supervised training requirements include video or recorded sessions with clients.  The bill passed the House and is before the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.  IMHCA is registered in support.

*HF 2583/SF 2251:  The governor has proposed extending Medicaid coverage for post-partum care for 12 months for women making less than $42,000.  The Senate passed SF 2251, sending it to the House where it is “paired” with HF 2583 and eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered in support of both bills.

*HF 2574: This bill eliminates boards and commissions that are inactive.  The bill doesn’t combine any existing boards.  The bill passed House State Government and is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered in support.

SF 2286:   This bill protects a licensed health care provider who objects to requirements by an employer who imposes restrictions on their practice.  The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.

*SF 2385:  This bill encompasses the governor’s recommendations on boards and commissions.  It combines the boards of psychology, social work and behavioral science into one board.   The bill passed State Government and is eligible for the debate calendar.  IMHCA is registered opposed.

 

Bills that died:

HSB 500:  This bill extends Medicaid coverage for post-partum care to 12 months.

HSB 511/SSB 3011: These bills would allow the release of psychological test materials to the opposing counsel if the litigation included a question of the individual’s cognitive ability.

HSB 690:  Added psychiatrists as an eligible profession for the mental health loan repayment program

HF 2073/SSB 3092: These bills allow a school district to employ a chaplain to provide services to students.

HF 2082:  This bill removes gender identity as a protected class under Iowa’s civils rights code and creates gender dysphoria as a disability.

HF 2233: This bill prohibits a licensing board from imposing CEU requirements if they are not directly related to the profession.

SF 297:  This bill protects a licensed health care provider who objects to requirements by an employer who imposes restrictions on their practice.

SF 2107:  This bill requires 3 graduate credit hours in courses on domestic violence as well as at least two hours of continuing education credits for licensure of psychologists, social workers, MHCs and MFTs.