‘Health Care’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 14th, 2010
Senate File 2356
Directs DHS to amend the extension proposal for the IowaCare program to provide expansion population services through a phased in approach, utilizing the 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers statewide. Creates a mechanism to expand the IowaCare provider network to include private providers, and hospitals designated by the Department subject to availability of funds. Eestablishes a mechanism to leverage additional federal monies through certified public expenditures to compensate University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a portion of the costs associated with physician care. Directs DHS to develop this plan in a phased in approach and to consult with the Medical Assistance and Projections Council and receive their approval prior to implementation. Establishes a payment mechanism for the regional provider network to receive payment for primary care services to IowaCare members. Directs the Department to adopt rules in collaboration with the Medical Home Advisory Council specifying the requirements and certification of a medical home. Directs the Department of Public Health to work with the appropriate entities to develop a plan for coordination of care for individuals with diabetes receiving care through members of the Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network.
Division II of SF2356 creates an insurance exchange in Iowa, the purpose of which is to establish an information clearinghouse where all Iowans can obtain information about health care coverage that is available in this state including availability of care delivered by safety-net providers and comparisons of benefits, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs. The bill specifies the nature of the information to be provided to consumers in making decisions about purchasing or acquiring health care coverage. The bill also establishes that the commissioner is to make recommendations to the Legislative Health Care Commission at each meeting of the Commission including those related to the promotion of greater transparency in providing quality data on health care providers and health care coverage plans and in providing data on the cost of medical care that is easily accessible to the public, statutory options that improve seamlessness in the health care system in this state and funding opportunities to increase health care coverage in the state, particularly for individuals who have been denied access to health insurance coverage.
House File 2370
Enterprise Zones are designed to stimulate development by targeting economically distressed areas in Iowa. Through state and local tax incentives, businesses and developers are encouraged to make new investments, and create or retain jobs in these areas. The goal of the program is to revitalize these areas and make them competitive with other locations throughout the state. Under current law, certification of enterprise zones ends on July 1, 2010. This law extends the deadline for 2 years to July 1, 2012. In addition, the cap under the program is eliminated since the program will fall under the tax credit cap for economic development programs created last year and modified in SF 2380, the tax credit reform bill pending the Governor’s signature.
House File 2483
Relates to trusts and estates including provisions relating to state inheritance tax, uniform transfers to minors, and medical assistance claims. This bill specifies that retirement plans subject to federal income tax when paid to a beneficiary are not subject to state inheritance tax. Increases transfers to minors from $10,000 to $25,000 under Uniform Law provisions. Allows electronic notice to DHS on estates in order to let DHS decide whether to make a Medicaid claim. This bill allows for distribution of property by affidavit if the property does not exceed $25,000. It states that remedies for a trustee’s failure to inform and account are not available for trusts created prior to July, 2002. In addition, this bill allows a transfer agent to request certification of the existence of a trust and of the identity of a trustee. This bill also adds provisions that allow the consent of a person, who can represent another, binding unless the represented person objects before the consent becomes effective and only applicable to written consents prior to July, 2010.
Senate File 2388
Creates a program that assesses urban hospitals a fee that would generate $40 million that can be used as a match for the state’s Medicaid program, and those funds are deposited in the Hospital Health Care Access Trust Fund. Hospitals are limited in the funds they can receive by the federal Upper Payment Limit ($69.1 million). Hospitals would receive a $20.5 million appropriation from the Trust Fund for a provider rate increase. The $20.5 million is then matched to draw down $48.6 million to reach the federal Upper Payment Limit of $69.1 million. The state nets $19.4 million for Medicaid expenses. The legislation also includes funding for hospital re-basing at $4.5 million in FY 12 and $6 million in FY 13.
Senate File 2331
Adds chiropractic as a covered service for hawk-i enrollees. Chiropractic is not currently specifically listed as a covered service. The legislation also allows any chiropractor who is licensed in the state of Iowa to be a participating provider in the hawk-i program. This means that a hawk-i participating health plan cannot limit their network if chiropractors want to be a hawk-i provider.
Tags: Chet Culver, Enterprise Zones, Health Care, mark smith, Phyllis Thede, state inheritance tax
Category 2010 Session Information, Health Care |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 31st, 2010
Legislative leaders yesterday said the shortened 2010 session of the Iowa Legislature succeeded in responsibly balancing the budget without raising taxes while laying the groundwork for Iowa’s economic recovery.
“The lingering national recession has put almost every state budget in the red. In Iowa, that’s not the case. We’ve balanced the budget without increasing taxes on Iowa families. We did it by making tough choices and by reorganizing state government for the first time in 25 years,” said Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg. “Those changes will make the dollars we do spend go farther while saving hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years.”
“Times will be tough in Iowa until the national economy more fully recovers,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines. “But Iowa is positioned better now than most any other state to recover quicker and stronger because the Legislature kept focused on fiscal responsibility and protecting the key priorities of Iowans.”
“For the first time ever, this Legislature took a hard look at state spending on all tax credits. Our tax credit reform ended some tax credits, suspended others, and cut the state’s overall tax credit liability by $115 million. We increased incentives to help our local small businesses create jobs,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. “We also expanded support for small businesses to encourage them to create good-paying jobs.”
“We made the cuts we had to make while keeping our commitments to educational opportunity, access to affordable health care, renewable energy, public safety and job creation,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque. “I’m proud of our efforts to make state government leaner and more effective, which allowed us to provide schools with an additional $147 million next year.”
Tags: End of Session, kibbie, McCarthy, Murphy
Category 2010 Session Information, Budget, Education, Health Care, Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 8th, 2010
A study released today by the Iowa Department of Public Health shows that Iowans are smoking 52% less, but teens are still at risk for starting.
The 2009 Tobacco Control Progress Report, conducted by the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Behavioral Research, showed that tobacco consumption in Iowa has decreased since 2000. While cigarette sales have held steady, per capita consumption of cigarettes has decreased from 112 to 54 in 2009. The new report is one year after the Smokefree Air Act that banned smoking in public places was approved in 2008.
The use of cigarettes by high school students, 19.9 percent in 2008, was roughly the same level it was in 2004, 19.5 percent. Among middle school students, use was down only slightly from 3.6 percent in 2006 to 2.8 percent in 2008.
For more information, go to
www.idph.state.ia.us/tobacco under the heading “Tobacco Program Evaluations and Progress Reports.”
Category Education, Environment, Health Care |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 18th, 2010
House and Senate leaders said today they will act on legislation to hold insurance companies accountable and provide more transparency for consumers on health insurance plans and premiums. The measure comes as Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield announced an 18% insurance rate hike for customers that impacts over 80,000 Iowans.
“Middle class families can’t afford these outrageous insurance premium increases. At a minimum, Iowans deserve to know exactly what factors led to this 18% rate increase. Our plan will bring more accountability to insurance companies by ensuring consumers have access to information on health insurance plans, premium rate increases, and health care cost information,” said State Representative Janet Petersen of Des Moines, who chairs the House Commerce Committee.
The insurance company accountability plan outlined by leaders today will be added to Senate File 2201 in the House Commerce Committee. Enacted by the Iowa Insurance Commissioner, a new consumer guide on health insurance will be created for Iowans with health insurance or looking to purchase insurance.
The accountability plan also calls for a detailed report from the Iowa Insurance Commissioner on health spending costs for insurance plans. The information must include rate increase data, health care expenditures, ranking factors that raise or lower costs in each insurance plan, and other data.
If you would like to watch the press conference with Rep. Peterson click here.
Category Health Care |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 26th, 2010
House and Senate Democratic legislators today proposed legislation to continue making health care more affordable and accessible to Iowans. The Iowa Legislature’s 2010 Health Care Reform Bill makes immediate improvements and sets the groundwork to use future increases in federal health care funding to benefit Iowans.
It is based on recommendations approved unanimously by the bipartisan Legislative Health Care Coverage Commission. This commission included Democratic and Republican legislators as well as representatives of insurers, health care providers and consumers.
Dr. Dave Carlyle, an Ames family physician, chaired the commission. “Iowa health care providers, insurers and health care consumers were in agreement on the steps required to extend coverage to more Iowans. This legislation reflects our recommendations,” Carlyle said.
“In Iowa, tens of thousands of children and families have already benefited because we have expanded coverage and increased affordability. We have broad public support because Iowans understand that improving access to affordable health care makes our state a better place to live and a more attractive place to do business,” said State Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines. “With this legislation, the Legislature will continue to reduce costs, protect and expand patient choice, and work toward assuring quality affordable health care for all Iowans.”
“This legislation allows Iowans to receive primary care closer to home, creates an information exchange to help small businesses and families make smart choices when buying insurance and sets forth an agenda for real help for middle class Iowans who are deeply worried about losing their health care,” said State Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown.
The leaders of the Iowa House and Senate stressed the importance of federal cooperation.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said: “We are doing our job. Iowa is recognized national for making good choices and spending federal dollars wisely. But we can’t accomplish our goals without a strong active federal partner.”
House Speaker Pat Murphy said: “States are now the focus of federal health reforms. And no matter what happens in Congress, innovative states like Iowa will benefit because we are reaching out to families without health care and families worried about losing their coverage. Every step we take towards solving Iowa’s health care problems lays the groundwork for Iowa’s future economic growth.”
The 2010 Health Care Reform Bill has three main sections:
Regional Provider Network: Allows Iowans in need to receive primary care closer to home
A new Regional Provider Network will be created under the existing IowaCare health plan. This will assist Iowans with incomes of up to 200% of poverty level and uses currently available funds.
Iowa Choice Exchange: Will help Iowans find the right health insurance plan
The new Iowa Choice Exchange is an information clearinghouse that makes it easier for individuals and small business employees to compare insurance plans using transparent, standardized information that includes data on quality.
IowaCare Plus: Will help working and middle class families afford health care
IowaCare Plus is a new plan for people with incomes of 200 to 400% of poverty, contingent on federal funding. Families with incomes of up to 300% will pay subsidized premiums. Families with incomes from 300 to 400% of poverty will purchase plans according to affordability guidelines passed last year.
Helping Rural Hospitals:
When the Iowa Cares program is expanded, rural hospitals will finally be reimbursed for emergency services and other care which is currently uncompensated. This will protect health care facilities and jobs in Iowa’s rural communities.
Tags: dave carlyle, Health Care, health care coverage commission, mark smith
Category 2010 Session Information, Health Care |
