The legislature is not beholden to any of her recommendations but they reflect what will be the topic of negotiation and conversation between legislative and executive branch leadership throughout the session.

• “Telehealth is reality today but we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface.”

• Provided a budget recommendation of $5.0 million of new funding for expansion of telehealth services. 

• Allow schools to be recognized as a site of service so telehealth services can be provided to students during the school day.

• $2.7 million state appropriation increase for residential substance use treatment Medicaid services.

• $3.3 million state appropriation increase for outpatient substance use treatment Medicaid services.

Increase in funding for the state’s Home and Community-Based Services and Habilitation Medicaid Programs of $3.3 million.

• New $500,000 state appropriation will be supplemented by community investments for this matching grant program.

• Grants will be awarded to two proposals that demonstrate regional collaboration to assess targeted medical needs of local residents, and establish partnerships between rural hospitals and health systems to leverage resources and develop a business model for long term sustainability.

• Adopt universal licensing recognition to allow professionals licensed in other states (for at least one year) to practice in Iowa if they are in good standing, pay applicable fees and meet all residency, testing and background check requirements.

• Waive initial licensing fees for first-time applicants from families earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

• Create a consistent standard so that when licensing entities review applicants with conviction records, they consider whether the circumstances of the crimes are directly related to the licensed profession, and provide a process for an individual with a criminal record to receive a predetermination of eligibility.

• Improve licensure oversight by creating a Review Commission on Licensure Standards that would subject boards and commissions that oversee professional licenses to a review every four years.

• Increase state funding for the MH system by $80 million to offset the reduced levies and to help regions and counties maintain and improve MH services.

• Use the state and regional partnership to more efficiently further access of Iowans to the MH system and to improve the quality of the system.

HF 2001 Telehealth Parity (Fry) (Human Resources) 

Requires a health carrier to reimburse a health care professional for health care services provided to a covered person by telehealth on or after January 1, 2021, on the same basis and at the same rate as the health carrier would apply to the same health care services provided to the covered person by the health care professional in person. 

Monday, January 13th--first day of legislative session

Tuesday, January 14th—Governor Kim Reynolds delivers state of the state message and releases her proposed state budget

Friday, February 21st— “First Funnel” Deadline for all policy bills to be approved by a committee in one chamber to remain alive (does not apply to bills in the Appropriations or Ways and Means’ Committees)

Friday, March 13—Filing deadline for candidates for state or federal office that are on the ballot for November 2020

Friday, March 20— “Second Funnel Deadline for all policy bills—must be approved by one legislative chamber and committee in other chamber to remain alive (does not apply to bills in the Appropriations or Ways and Means’ Committees)

Tuesday, April 21—100th day of the legislative session—last day that legislators receive per diem to cover living expenses for session (session typically raps up near this date)

We are excited to represent the Iowa Physical Therapy Association at the Iowa Capitol! 

Feel free to contact us at kate@eidewalton.com and matt@eidewalton.com. 

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