Hawk-I makes affordable health insurance coverage available to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private family coverage. Under the new guidelines, a family of four making up $67,000 may qualify.  Depending on income guidelines, children may be eligible for free or low cost health insurance. Iowa also now offers a “dental only” plan for children who may already have healthcare, but do not have dental care.

For an application or eligibility questions, call toll-free (877) KIDS-NOW.  Information is also available at www.hawk-i.org and local schools or doctor’s offices.

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.

After Iowa’s largest health insurance carrier announced an 18% rate hike in insurance premiums last month, the Iowa House of Representatives approved legislation tonight to hold insurance companies accountable and provide more transparency for consumers on health insurance plans and premiums.  Another provision of the bill for Iowa veterans will guarantee insurance coverage for substance abuse and mental health treatment.

“In these tough economic times, middle class families and small businesses deserve to know the specific reasons why their insurance rates are rising so dramatically every year,” said State Representative Janet Petersen of Des Moines.  “After years of double digit rate increases, small businesses deserve more warning and an opportunity to voice their concerns before rate increases take effect.”

“With thousands of Iowans serving overseas in just the last few years alone, Iowa veterans deserve to get the mental health services and support they need in their own community,” said State Representative Ray Zirkelbach of Monticello, who served in Iraq.  “This is a huge step forward for Iowa veterans and I’m proud the Legislature stood up for the brave men and women in uniform today.”

The insurance company accountability plan, Senate File 2265, calls for a detailed annual report from the Iowa Insurance Commissioner on health care spending and health insurance in Iowa.  The information must include rate increase data, health care expenditures, ranking factors that raise or lower costs in each insurance plan, and other data.  Other provisions of the plan include more transparency of health insurance information, public hearings on rate health insurance increase applications before they are approved, and notification of rate increase applications to all policyholders.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Through existing partnerships with Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services and Mercy Medical Center, Iowa Workforce Development has already identified job openings for skilled workers that likely will become available in the next two years. The partnership will recruit, screen and provide training and support services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Iowans to help them pursue careers in the health care industry. Employment services will be available via the Department of Labor’s local One Stop Career Centers, and training will be offered at community colleges and other local education providers.

Today’s announcement is part of a joint effort by the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to announce nearly $1 billion in Recovery Act funding to increase the use of health information technology and train workers for the health jobs of the future.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.

The Health Care Coverage Commission is made up of 11 private citizens and will continue work throughout the fall.  The initial report will be completed by January 1, 2010 before the 2010 legislative session begins.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• Foreclosure Protection - Iowans will benefit from expanded services when facing foreclosure, more accurate information from mortgage brokers or bankers, and active duty reservists and national guard members will have new protections from foreclosure while serving (House File 706, Senate File 355, and Senate File 364)

• Historic Tax Credits – Another $30 million in Historic Tax Credits will be available for communities to create jobs and rebuild (Senate File 481)

• Protecting Kids from Sex Offenders – Sex offenders will be prohibited from being within 300 feet of schools, parks, or other places kids gather. The state will also enhance tracking of the most dangerous sex offenders. (Senate File 430)

• Expanding Health Care – Health care will be expanded to an additional 30,000 uninsured kids, more low-income women will be eligible for health care during pregnancy, and it will be easier for parents to keep their adult children under 25 on their insurance plan (Senate File 389)

• Wind Energy – Schools, hospitals, universities, private colleges, and community colleges will be eligible to apply for wind energy tax credits (Senate File 456)

• Manure Application During Winter - In an effort to prevent runoff into waterways, confinement operations are banned from surface application of liquid manure on snow covered ground from December 21-April 1, and on frozen ground from February 1-April 1, unless there is an emergency. (Senate File 432)

• Electronic Logs for Pseudoephedrine - Pharmacies will now use electronic logbooks to track pseudoephedrine sales and stop meth makers from “pharmacy shopping” to get enough of the drug to make meth (Senate File 237)

• Job Protection for Volunteer Emergency Providers - Volunteer emergency service providers, like fire fighters and first responders, will have new protections from being fired if they are late or absent due to an emergency (House File 671)

• Insurance Coverage – Insurance policies issued or renewed after July 1 must include coverage for prosthetics, can’t discriminate among cancer treatments, and cover diabetes management training (Senate File 478, House File 478 & House File 311)

• Nursing Home Safety – Nursing homes will face higher fines for incidents resulting in death or severe injury (Senate File 433)

• Consumer Fraud Protections - Iowa consumers, especially seniors, who are defrauded when buying a used car, hiring contractors for home repairs, or starting a home mortgage will have new rights to sue the business that defrauded them (House File 712)

“Building on our progress last year, Iowans are ready for historic reform of our health care system. It won’t happen overnight, but it will set us on the path to insure that all Iowans have access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said State Representative Lisa Heddens of Ames, who managed to the bill to a 97-0 vote in the House.

House File 2539 contains several initiatives to improve the quality and affordability of health care. First, it sets a goal that every Iowa child will have health insurance by the end of 2010. Second, every Iowan will have a patient centered medical home, where one medical provider will focus on prevention and chronic care management to reduce costs and know all the medications, treatments, and history to avoid medical errors.

Third, young adults will be able to stay on their parent’s insurance policy until they are 25 years old or they graduate from college, whichever is later. Iowans with pre-existing conditions will also continue to receive insurance coverage if they leave group insurance and enter the individual insurance market. In an effort to reduce costs and improve quality, the bill also creates a Health Information Technology System to create real-time access to medical records.

“Wellness and chronic disease prevention are key to reducing costs in our health care system. This is just the first step in making sure every Iowan has access to good health care which they can afford,” said State Representative Ro Foege, D-Mt. Vernon, who served as co-chair of the Legislation Commission that helped draft the legislation.

The bill now goes to the Senate.