This past week the Department of Health and Welfare began its budget hearing with JFAC. Keep reading to find out what you might have missed! Don't forget to check the events at the bottom of this post to learn what events are ahead!

Senate Health and Welfare Committee

Nurses and Nursing Home Administrators

S1240 and S1242 were filed for a third reading in the Senate.  S1240, sponsored by Sen. Mary Souza (R-4), provides signature authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses when an established provision of law within their cope of practice requires a physician’s signature. S1242, sponsored by Sen. Mark Harris (R-32), allows for an applicant for a nursing home administrator’s license with management experience at an in-patient facility and a master’s-level degree with an emphasis in healthcare to qualify for a license. Both of these bills are expected to be voted on Monday, Feb. 3.

House Health and Welfare Committee

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

HB 314 passed the House without opposition on January 28. This legislation modifies terminology for deaf or hard of hearing persons. The bill replaces “hearing impairment” with “hearing loss” and “deaf, hard of hearing”.  The new language is suggested to be more positive and is important in reflecting society’s attitudes. This bill will be presented in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this Monday, February 3. You can read the bill HERE.

Guardianship Evaluation Committees

HB 311 also passed the House unanimously on January 28. This legislation will allow the Health and Welfare Department’s Crisis Prevention and Court Services Program to allow licensed counselors to participate on the evaluation team for court-ordered Developmental Disability evaluations. This change is proposed as an effort to reduce workload burden among state social workers by sharing duties with licensed counselors in the department.  This bill will be presented in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this Monday, February 3. You can read the bill HERE.

Telehealth

HB 342, sponsored by Rep. Megan Blanksma (R-23) is up for a vote in the House on Monday, Feb. 3. The bill removes statutory barriers and clarifies terminology.  Included in the bill is remote patient monitoring through the added language “including but not limited to a patient’s home” in the definition of originating site.  The bill also clarifies the services provided under telehealth services to include “synchronous or asynchronous technologies by a provider to deliver patient health care services, including but not limited to…”. You can read the bill HERE.

Child Care Licensing

On Wednesday, January 29, HB340 was reported out of the House Health and Welfare Committee to General Orders for amendment. The bill sponsors now have the opportunity to make changes to the bill that may address the community members concerns. This legislation offers exemption from licensing for residential programs that offer temporary alcohol-drug abuse treatment for those aged 13-17. The legislation is proposed as a solution to the lack of residential substance abused treatment for teens.  Concerns around the legislation include co-mingling of adults and youth who are being treated in the same facility. An additional concern is the lacking safeguards, particularly with criminal history background checks.  You can read the bill, co-sponsored by Senator Mary Souza (R-4) and Rep. Ron Mendive (R-3) HERE.

Medicaid Expansion and Waiver Update

On Wednesday, January 29, the Department of Health and Welfare gave its update on Medicaid Expansion and its current status in the waiver implementation process. See the chart below or click HERE to listen.

	Draft Application (8 Weeks)	Tribal/Public Notice and Comment (30 Days)	Review Comments and Submit Application (1-2 Weeks)	Review Letter of Completion from CMS (1-2 Weeks)	Negotiate Terms and Conditions (6-12 Weeks)	Wait for Federal Approval (8-16 Weeks)	Implement Waivers (6 Months)
Coverage Choice	ü	ü	ü	û
Work Requirements	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	¡
Family Planning	ü	ü	ü	ü	¡
IMD	ü	ü	ü	ü	¡

JFAC Update

Photo: Betsy Russell/Idaho Press

Monday, January 27, was the start of the Department of Health and Welfare’s budget hearing with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC). Here is what you might have missed!

Elke Shaw-Tulloch, the Division Administrator of Public Health for the Department of Health and Welfare, presented a budget overview of the work for Health Care Policy Initiatives, Home Visiting, and Advance Care Planning. You can view the presentation by clicking HERE – link provided by the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities

Jane Donnellan, the Division Administrator for Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) presented an overview of IDVR.  You can view the presentation by clicking HERE - link provided by the Idaho Council on Development Disabilities

Miren Unsworth, Division Administroator for Family and Community Services (FACS) with the Department of Health and Welfare, presented the budget for Child Welfare and Services for People with Developmental Disabilities.  You can view the presentation by clicking HERE – link provided by the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities.

What’s Happening Nationally?

On January 27, 2020, the Department of Health and Human services declared “Public Health Emergency” on the coronavirus. The public health emergency includes a quarantine for U.S. citizens arriving from Hubei Province and a temporary ban on foreigners without family in the U.S. who have recently visited China.  You can view the declaration HERE.

Bill Tracker

Do you have any specific Bills you would like to be tracked throughout the session?  If so, please reach out and I will gladly track them through this weekly update. You can also view all current bills HERE

Bill No	Description	Last Action
S1226	Adds “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act	01/15 Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs
H0352	Amends existing law to revise the income tax credit for food sales	1/23 Reported Printed; referred to Revenue & Taxation
H0342	TELEHEALTH – Amends existing law to define ”telehealth technologies” and to revise provisions regarding telehealth services	1/31 Read Second Time; Filed for Third Reading
H0314	DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING - Amends existing law to revise terminology regarding persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.	01/29 Received from the House passed; Filed for first reading; Introduced, read first time; referred to Health and Welfare
H0311	HEALTH - Amends existing law to revise the definition of “evaluation committee,” thereby permitting licensed professional counselors to serve on committees evaluating individuals for developmental disabilities	01/29 Received from the House passed; Filed for first reading; Introduced, read first time; referred to Health and Welfare
H0340	CHILD CARE LICENSING – Amends existing law to define “temporary alcohol-drug abuse treatment facility.	01/29 Reported out of Committee, Recommend place on General Orders

Upcoming Events & Advocacy Days

Monday, February 3, 2020: AARP’s Lobby Day. Details HERE.

Thursday, February 6, 2020: Foster Care Awareness Day with Idaho Voices for Children. Details HERE.

Monday – Tuesday, February 10 & 11, 2020: Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Day. Details & Registration HERE.

Saturday, February 15, 2020: 9th Annual Family Caregiver Conference. Details HERE.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020: 2^nd Annual ICA Legislative Luncheon, 11:00-1:00, first floor of Capitol Rotunda

Here is a MAP OF FREE VISITOR PARKING at the Capitol.