Legislative update: Week nine

Last Friday wrapped up the first funnel week of the 2021 legislative session. Approximately 150 bills moved out of the House and Senate committees to survive the March 5 first funnel deadline and remain eligible for consideration this session. The exceptions to this rule include bills assigned to Ways and Means, Appropriations, Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) and Government Oversight. Additionally, any language can reappear as an amendment to another bill or be included in appropriations. Floor debate has begun to pick up, as the bills that survived funnel start to appear on the debate calendar in both chambers.

Bill tracking

Bills of note to IHCA members this week include:

• SCR 5: Resident Visitation. A Senate concurrent resolution was introduced by President of the Senate Jake Chapman, encouraging U.S. Congress to provide flexibility to the states in determining visitation practices in nursing facilities. IHCA has been actively involved in conversations with Senator Chapman regarding the resolution and will remain engaged in monitoring its progress. The resolution is on the Senate debate calendar for March 9. IHCA is registered undecided.
• SF 450: Dependent Adult Abuse. This is an act relating to the definition of dependent adult abuse. The bill adds the death of a dependent adult that occurs due to certain acts or omissions by a caretaker to the definition of dependent adult abuse for purposes of the dependent adult abuse registry. It is currently on the debate calendar. IHCA is registered for the bill.
• HF 706: Telehealth Reimbursements. This legislation requires reimbursements for telehealth services to be the same as in-person visits, effective January 2022. It passed the committee 20-0, and the floor manager is Rep. Fry. IHCA is registered for the bill.
• HF 269: Out-Of-State Telehealth. This act prohibits insurers from excluding out-of-state telehealth providers if the provider is licensed in Iowa and able to give services. This act is on the House debate calendar.
• SF 193: Vaccines and Immunizations. The bill includes requirements and prohibitions relating to vaccines and immunizations and provides civil remedies. IHCA is registered opposed. This bill, in its original form, was expansive and would have prohibited employers from requiring employees to be vaccinated and allowed employees to seek injunctive relief and damages. However, the bill was amended in the committee to be specific to the COVID-19 vaccination; essentially, protecting workers who are not vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccination from being fired or discriminated against by their employer. The amendment also disallows vaccination status incorporation on government-issued identification cards. The bill passed the Senate Human Resources Committee 7-6 and is now eligible for floor debate.
• HF 632: Vaccine Information. This act requires vaccine administrators to report adverse outcomes into the VAERS system. Additionally, it requires all vaccine administrators to report to the IRIS program. It passed the committee 11-9, and the floor manager is Rep. Osmundson.
• SF 364: Paycheck Protection Program. The House passed the tax deductions in SF 364 that offers about $115 million in tax relief; $90 million of that will be made up for in a transfer from the general fund to the Taxpayer Trust Fund with the other $25 million coming out of the ending balance. One hundred million dollars comes from a pandemic unemployment exemption and the rest comes from COVID-19 grants and the Paycheck Protection Program. The bill was amended in the House and now goes back to the Senate. Read more here. IHCA is registered for the bill.
• HSB 225: Medicaid Claims Overpayment. This bill prevents the state or Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) from seeking repayment of an overpayment to a provider if the overpayment happened over 24 months ago. The bill was amended in committee, taking the time period the bill considered from 12 months to 24 months due to managed care company concerns over claims processing standards. It is effective upon enactment, and passed committee 20-0, with floor manager Boden. IHCA is registered for this bill.
• HSB 255: Physician Assistant Duties. This bill adds duties that may be performed by physician assistants (PAs). It requires various boards and agencies to adopt rules authorizing PAs and prohibits amending rules for three years. It passed committee 20-0, with floor manager Rep. Boden.

Click here to view a list of all the bills the IHCA is tracking.

Other news at the Iowa Statehouse

COVID -19 vaccinations
Governor Reynolds held a press conference last week urging Iowans to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. She said, “As you’re weighing your options for vaccination, it’s important you receive your information from credible sources.” The governor received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was administered by a central Iowa Hy-Vee pharmacist. The governor had waited until this point to get vaccinated to make sure that the elderly and other at-risk populations, as well as teachers, had the opportunity to receive their vaccines.

Effective Monday, March 8, Iowa vaccine providers could officially begin vaccinating additional priority populations. Individuals 64 years of age and younger with medical conditions that are or may be an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are now eligible. Because vaccine production has not fully met the demand for vaccine, Iowans will need to remain patient as vaccine production increases. The White House announced this week that by the end of May, there will be enough vaccines for anyone over the age of 16 who chooses to receive one. Starting March 9, the 211 Call Center is now able to assist Iowans ages 65 and older who need assistance scheduling an appointment and don’t have the access to technology to do so.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) landing page for the COVID-19 vaccine is updated frequently with the latest information and education materials surrounding the vaccine rollout, for the public and health care providers. Click here for more information.

Federal updates

• President Biden announced last week that Johnson & Johnson and Merck will work together to expand the production of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. This partnership will mean that the U.S. is now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in the country by the end of May.
• The Senate passed its version of the American Rescue Plan last week. The act will be returned to the House for another vote.
• Governor Reynolds announced she is joining 22 other governors to oppose the new standard in President Biden’s stimulus bill for how federal funds would be allocated to states.
• The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the future of telehealth. The hearing focused on how flexibilities during the coronavirus pandemic surrounding telehealth in the Medicare program should be made permanent.