LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION

1. Support adoption of an Interstate Compact to facilitate a system of licensure in which a single license allows a nurse to practice in multiple states with a "multistate licensure privilege".

House File 2105 was signed by the Governor.

2. Appropriate the tobacco settlement dollars for health care purposes with attention to: 1) school programs to reduce tobacco use and improve health, 2) assuring health services provided by school nurses are included in state school accreditation standards, and 3) programs to reduce school violence.

House File 2555 appropriated $55 million.

House File 2565 directs a committee oversee expenditure of the $9.3 Million tobacco prevention funds.

House File 2579 creates a tobacco settlement authority to administer the tobacco settlement.

School Health Accreditation Standards bill, HF 2474 was signed by the Governor.

Senate File 2435 continues the EPSDT funding to implement the screening component through the school system.

House File 2411 (not adopted) would have provided the Medicaid state match for direct school nurse services provided to Medicaid children in the schools.

There were no bills that directly addressed programs to reduce school violence.

3. Support parity in health insurance policies for mental health and substance abuse coverage and appropriate housing.

House File 2080 died on the Senate calendar.

4. Assure nursing supervision of emergency medical services personnel when they work in the non-emergency, non-lifesaving acute care settings.

INA desired language was included in House File 2333; Governor signed.

5. Increase funding for public health nursing/core public health functions.

Senate File 2429 appropriated a $400,000 increase from unspent Gambling Treatment Fund and House File 2555 appropriated $1.5 million from tobacco settlement (Healthy Iowans 2010) for a total of $1.9 million new dollars.

6. No support for legal recognition of direct-entry midwives.

• Monitor the proposed regulation of hollow-bore needles.

• Monitor the need for regulation of telehealth applications.

• Monitor the implementation of the expanded Medicaid program for children and implementation of the HAWK-I program and Empowerment Boards.

• Promote the understanding of End-of-Life issues through the dissemination of information on advanced directives and living wills, information on treatment choices and documentation and communication of end-of-life options and preferences.

• Seek modification of the Medicaid program: 1) evaluate barriers to direct services from advanced practice nurses to Medicaid recipients and 2) increase reimbursement for basic health services, such as dental care, to recipients.

• Assure reviewers of managed care and third party payor companies have appropriate educational preparation and judgment needed to evaluate the patient’s conditions being presented.

• Monitor activities relative to women’s health including research funding, occupational health safety risks, access to health care interventions and consumer protections.

• Assure electronic privacy to protect the confidentiality of personal and professional online information.

• Assure Medicare’s long term solvency and universal access for all older Americans and identified disabled populations with the current levels of quality, services and eligibility.

• Iowans, particularly those with special health care needs, will have access to quality health care services;
• $21 million increase in Medicaid Provider Reimbursement (DHS budget)
• Expansion of HAWK-I to 200% Federal Poverty Level (DHS budget)
• Comprehensive Long Term Care Services (SF 2193 aka Senior Living)
• Estimated $100 million federal funding in year one
• Department of Human Services and Elder Affairs
• $5.6 million home care and respite care services for the disabled
• Consumers will have a strong voice in Iowa’s health care system;
• Executive Order #14 – Joint Consumer Council

• $300,000 Privacy Taskforce (SF 2429)
• Minority Health Task Force (DHS, DPH and Human Rights)
• "False" (Mental Health) Parity Bill Failed to Advance (HF 2080)
• Iowa will reduce disease through prevention;
• Unprecedented Investment in Healthy Iowans 2010
• $1.5 million for core functions, essential services and public health nursing
• $437,000 certified poison control center
• $400,000 for trauma and emergency medical services
• $300,000 for environmental health
• $163,000 for other prevention initiatives
• Comprehensive tobacco control program (HF 2565)
• $9.3 million to prevention programs (tobacco) (HF 2555)
• Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control
• Initial focus on youth and pregnant women
• $1.7 million for enforcement, avoiding the $5 million Synar penalty
• $300,000 for youth summit and rally
• Reduce dependency on harmful drugs and restore Iowans to health.
• $11.9 million for substance abuse treatment (HF 2555)
• Not withstanding the legislature’s general fund cuts for substance abuse treatment (HF 2429), net increase in FY 01 of $5.2 million

• Funds expansion of Child Death Review Team duties and new Domestic Review Team ( SF 2429)
• Gives access to confidential child abuse information by the Governor, leadership of the General Assembly or designees for child abuse incidents involving death or near-death. (HF 2377)
• Allows schools and juvenile justice agencies to enter agreements to share information regarding juvenile court records and child abuse information at Dept of Human Services to be shared (SF 2369)
• Directs Dept of Public Health to conduct a study of lead poisoned children in Iowa with up to $50,000. (SF 2429)
• Child Death review of all deaths under age 18 (HF 2365)
• Ad hoc child abuse death reviews (HF 2377)
• Increases the appropriation for child care (SF 2435)
• Increases funding for College of Public Health at the University of Iowa up to $2.1 million. (HF2549)
• Extends the sunset for Scope of Practice Review Committees until June 30, 2002. (SF 2429)
• Clarification of conflicting language in Iowa’s HIV non-consensual testing law. (SF 2302)
• Strengthens authority of the Dept of Public Health medical examiner (SF 2429)
• Streamlines Infectious and Communicable Disease laws in (SF 2314)
• OWI courses may be taught by substance abuse treatment programs & professionals (HF 2511)
• Clean water initiatives (SF 2371)
• Provides for a quality-based inspection system for health care facilities (SF 2144)
• Requires criminals of a listed offense to be DNA profiled and requires courts to order profiling if the person is convicted (SF 2324)
• Makes technical changes regarding background checks for state employees (SF 2360)
• Changes references in membership of the Medical Assistance Advisory Council (SF 174)
• Directs organizations and providers of services employing certified nurse aides discuss improvement of training, communication skills development, mentoring and other activities to enhance the expertise of certified nurse aides and make a presentation on such to legislators January 2001. (Governor vetoed)

• HCR 109 Prostrate Awareness Week
• HCR 111 Osteoporosis Prevention
• HCR 124/SCR 120 Human Services Policy Study
• HR 126 Full Funding of Senior Living Program by federal government
• SR 121 Assignment of Benefits Interim Study

May 22, 2000

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