Under the Golden Dome
The second funnel deadline cleared the calendar of even more policy bills that will see no further action. A bill had to pass one chamber and a committee in the other chamber to remain alive for consideration. This does not apply to appropriations or tax bills. But don’t take this as a sign that bad bills won’t resurface. Both chambers place bills on the unfinished business calendar to keep them alive.
What can you expect in the next week? Under chamber rules, the Senate can only debate House bills or any bills on unfinished business. The House can only debate Senate bills or any bills on unfinished business. One interesting fact – the House passed roughly 175 bills and the Senate has only passed around 60 bills!
Bills of Interest
HF 2402: This bill provides for an enhanced rate for psychiatric medical institutions for children that care for children with specialized needs and makes regulatory changes to PMICs including:
The bill passed the House and the Senate Health Human Services Committee and is eligible for floor debate. IMHCA is registered in support of the bill.
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 and passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, making it eligible for floor debate. The bill will be amended on the floor with cash for care language that does the following:
IMHCA is currently registered in support of the original bill but will re-evaluate if the amendment is adopted on the Senate floor.
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:
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 also approved moving the bill forward. 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 was passed by the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee and is eligible floor debate. 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 was passed by the Senate State Government Committee and is eligible for floor debate. 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. The bill was placed on the unfinished business calendar in the House which keeps it eligible for floor debate.
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. The bill was placed on the unfinished business calendar in the House which keeps it eligible for floor debate.
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. The bill was placed on the unfinished business calendar in the Senate which keeps it eligible for floor debate.
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 2210: This bill prohibits hospitals and licensing boards from asking about an applicant’s mental health or substance abuse conditions.
HF 2233: This bill prohibits a licensing board from imposing CEU requirements if they are not directly related to the profession.
HF 2268: This bill places time limits on review of Medicaid claims to no more than 24 months.
HF 2271: This bill requires health facilities to disclose electronic health records to parents unless otherwise protected by law.
HF 2389: This bill creates a definition in code of man, woman and family.
HF 2486: This bill allows a licensed individual to carryforward any excess CEU credits into the next renewal cycle not to exceed 50%.
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.
SF 2286: This bill protects a licensed health care provider who objects to requirements by an employer who imposes restrictions on their practice.