Iowa adjournment

• Iowa adjournment
• INA legislative agenda - status update
  
• bills of interest to nursing signed by the governor
  
• bills of interest pending before the governor
  
• resolutions of interest to nursing
  
• left on the debate calendar
  
• addressed in administrative rules rather than the code
  

Iowa adjournment

Now that the session has ended, the Governor has thirty days to consider the legislation sent to him in the last few days. Therefore final decisions will be made on legislative action may not occur until the end of May. Check our Web Page midsummer for a final report. It is hoped that by July there will also be a listing of the administrative rules that have been adopted that affect nursing for the July 1, 1998-June 30, 1999 time period.

INA legislative agenda - status update

Increase funding for core public health functions (HF 737): A new increase in funding for core public health functions over FY99 of $250,000. This bill is pending before the Governor.

Increase Medicaid funding/expand HAWK-I and reimburse gerontological ARNPs (HF 760): Pending before the Governor.

Evaluate and respond to EMS Code Changes: Work with EMTs in interim. A resolution is being drafted for consideration at the October House of Delegates.

Support adoption of Interstate Compact for Nurses: Work with Rep. Bradley, the Board of Nursing and other interested parties during the interim for consideration in January.

Amend the composition of the Board of Nursing (SF 99): The Governor has signed this bill.

Support parity in health insurance for mental health coverage: No action this year. Anticipate that the Governor will work to bring together business community and insurance community on this issue during the interim.

other bills of interest to nursing signed by the governor

Bills become effective July 1, 1999 unless otherwise indicated.

SF 8 Diabetes Mandated Coverage: Provides Coverage under a policy or contract providing for third-party payment or pre-payment of health or medical expenses for the treatment of diabetes, by providing coverage for costs associated with equipment, supplies, and education.

SF 115 Alcohol Testing-Private Sector: Authorizes alcohol testing of private and public sector. Requires the use of federal standards for a confirmatory test for alcohol.

SF 276 Managed Care-Patient's Bill of Rights: Provides for an external review process for denial of coverage; continuity of care during pregnancy; gag rule prohibition; coverage for services to evaluate and stabilize emergency conditions; continuity of care for terminal illnesses; national accreditation standards for utilization review companies; and provisions for experimental treatment review.

SF 277 ARNP Clinical Privileges: Requires the Department of Public Health to write administrative rules on the granting of privileges to hospital staff.

SF 361 Meth Prevention and Enforcement: Provides for enforcement, education and treatment for substance and sexual abuse.

HF 308 DIA Investigative Powers: Authorizes peace officer status for investigators of the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

HF 402 Midwifery-Scope of Practice Review: Establishes a scope of practice review committee regarding the proposed licensure of certified professional midwives.

HF 489 Infectious Waste Program: Eliminates certain requirements of the Department of Public Health relating to the regulation of infectious waste.

HF 708 Governor's Award for Quality in Health Care Facilities: Establishes an award for recognizing quality nursing homes.

HF 741 PMIC Bed Flexibility: Grants more flexibility in the use of the beds between mental health and substance abuse services in psychiatric medical institutions for children.

bills of interest pending before the governor

SF 194 PMIC Accreditation: Authorizes a variety of accrediting entities, which meet federal standards to accredit psychiatric institutions for children.

SF 248 HIV Code Chapter Rewrite: Rewrites previous code chapters and eliminates pretest-counseling provisions.

SF 439 Empowerment Act: Makes revisions to the current law which emphasizes funding for the community determine age 0-5. Sets in law the intent language to "empower" communities, allows for a facilitator and for information on funding to be available.

SF 460 Appropriations-Administration & Regulation: Appropriates funds to the Department of Inspections and Appeals and Insurance Division among other entities.

SF 464 Appropriations-Education: Appropriates funds for health services provided through the University of Iowa and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

SF 470 Campaign Contributions: Authorizes certain changes to the campaign finance reporting requirements.

SF 482 Tobacco Settlement: Adopts the model statute in the Mater Settlement agreement between the tobacco companies and the states. Guarantees the state to receive its agreed-upon amount in the tobacco settlement, even if the market share of the companies involved changes. Establishes the duties of the tobacco companies and rules regarding the money paid by companies into escrow accounts.

HF 497 Public Health Programs: Makes changes in code to certain public health programs.

HF 624 Electronic Commerce: Establishes the E-Commerce Security Act. It allows for electronic signatures in most transactions. Defines electronic records, signatures and other matters and gives legal definition to them.

HF 661 Offense of Sexual Abuse and Definitions: Provides definition of sexual abuse.

HF 664 Adult Decategorization Projects: Creates an adult mental health, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities services funding pilot program.

HF 737 Appropriations - Health, Elder Affairs and Human Rights: Increases the appropriate for core public health functions by $250,000 new dollars to the activity. Permits Board of Nursing to retain a specified amount of fees collected to be used for relocation expenses during FY 2000. Increases funding for improving access to dental care for low-income children.

HF 760 Appropriations-Human Services: Increases the appropriations to Medicaid programs by giving a 2% increase to providers. The HAWK-I program is increased to annualize costs and Medicaid is increased to annualize expansion costs. HAWK-I was not increased to include children to 200% of the federal poverty level. EPSDT screening component is still funded to be implemented through the school system. Specifies that $65,000 from nursing facility fine revenues be used for certified nurse aide recruitment and retention.

HF 762 Appropriations- Oversight and Communications: Appropriates funding for the Iowa Communications Network and other telecommunications issues.

HF 763 Reimbursement-Centers & Clinics: Provides for an increase in the reimbursement rate for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics under the Medicaid program.

resolutions of interest to nursing

SCR 11 urges that Congress act to keep the federal government from taking back any of the tobacco settlement money from the states.

HCR 24/SCR 23 encourages Congress to rescind Health Care Financing Administration rules requiring onerous home health agency reporting. Urges Congress to amend the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) authority over the OASIS project reporting requirements to only Medicare patients.

SCR 24 requests the Legislative Council to study the long-term health care needs of Iowans.

left on the debate calendar

HF 707 Needle Regulation Study: Calls for the Labor Commissioner with the Department of Public Health to conduct a study of laws and regulations relating to the protection of persons who may be at risk of needle stick injuries.

HF 732 Telehealth: Calls for a definition of "telehealth" while excluding telephone and fax communications from the definition.

HF 734 Drug Prior Authorization Panel in DHS: Would make changes in procedures for approving drugs approved by the Medicaid program.

addressed in administrative rules rather than the code

SF 314 ARNP Code Authority to order X-rays. This issue was identified by Department of Health staff as needing to be made in the Code. The bill passed the Senate, when the House committee got the bill, the Iowa Society of Radiological Technologists objected to the bill stating the bill language submitted was not congruent with verbal intent. After a meeting with the department staff and the Board of Nursing, it was agreed that an administrative rule change could be proposed to cover the scope of practice concern that had been raised.

For the complete text of the preceding bills, with an explanation at the end, go to the Iowa General Assembly webpage (www.legis.state.ia.us), select the appropriate chamber (House or Senate), the bill type (file, study bill, resolution, etc.) and review the bill language.

Thank your legislators (Senator and Representative) for their efforts on legislation you support. Make sure they know an RN appreciates their work. Help nursing have a strong voice at the State Capitol!