This week's update highlights new legislation including bills on behavioral health and Idaho's Health Care Registry.  JFAC held a budget hearing for Idaho's health district.  Read on to learn more! 

Senate Health and Welfare Committee

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

HB 314 passed both the House AND Senate with no opposition. 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. You can read the bill HERE.

Guardianship Evaluation Committees

HB 311 also passed the House AND Senate unanimously. 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. You can read the bill HERE.

Nurses and Nursing Home Administrators

S1240 and S1242 were passed in the Senate with no opposition on Monday, Feb. 3.  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. S1240 and S1242 will be presented in the House Health and Welfare Committee this Monday, February 10.  You can read S1240 HERE and S1242 HERE.

Behavioral Health

SCR126 states the findings of the legislature and supports a collaboration among the three branches of the state government, local governments, and community partners in developing and implementing a statewide strategic plan to improve the Idaho behavioral health system. You can read the bill HERE.

House Health and Welfare Committee

Relating to Medicaid Reimbursements

HB 351 passed the House on February 5^th.  HB 351 “reduces net reimbursements to hospitals and nursing facilities in SFY 2020 and SFY 2021 to help achieve the Medicaid general fund needs of a 1% overall reduction in SFY 2020 and a 2% reduction in SFY 2021.” The legislation moves Medicaid payments away from cost-based reimbursements to a value-based payment.  Opposition to this legislation has shown concern over cost-shifting.  This bill will be presented in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this Monday, February 10.  You can read the full bill HERE.

Telehealth

HB 342 passed the House with no opposition. 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…”. This bill will be presented to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this Wednesday, February 12. You can read the bill HERE.

Idaho’s Health Care Directive Registry

HB 436 moves Idaho's Health Care Directive Registry from the Office of the Secretary of State to the Division of Public Health within the Department of Health and Welfare; Governor Little has recommended $500,000 in his budget to fund this change, which would require a trailer bill if this legislation passes; This legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Youngblood and Sen. Bair along with Elke Shaw-Tulloch, head of the Division of Public Health. You can read the full bill HERE.

JFAC Update

Photo: Betsy Russell/Idaho Press

Monday, February 3, was day 3 of 4 for the Department of Health and Welfare’s budget presentations in JFAC.  The budget focused on behavioral health services including mental health services (LBB p.2-47), psychiatric hospitalization (LBB p. 2-53), and substance abuse services, (LBB p.2-73).

You can view the FY 2020 Legislative Budget Book HERE. You can listen to Monday’s Presentations HERE.

On Friday, February 7^th, JFAC held a budget hearing for Idaho’s public health districts.  During the presentation, District IV Director Russell Duke addressed tobacco and vaping issues, stating “In 2019, 5.3% of Idaho high school students reported smoking in last 30 days; 21.5% percent reported vaping.” Another statistic revealed that 63.5% of Idaho adults are overweight (10% increase from 200) and 30% of 3^rd graders are overweight. You can view the FY 2020 Legislative Budget Book HERE. You can listen to the presentation 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	02/06 Received from the House Passed; filed for first reading Introduced, read first time; referred to Health & Welfare
H0314	DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING - Amends existing law to revise terminology regarding persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.	02/07 Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
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	02/07 Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
H0351	Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the establishment of Medicaid reimbursement payment methods and to provide for a temporary reduction in certain reimbursements	02/06 Received from the House passed; filed for first reading Introduced, read first time; referred to Health & 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
H0392	VOLUNTEER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMUNITY – Amends existing law to revise the definition of “health care provider” to include students practicing under the supervision of a licensed provider.	02/04 Reported Printed and Referred to Health and Welfare
H0404	FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF AN ELDER – Adds to existing law to provide for the offense of financial exploitation of an elder	02/05 Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules, and Administration
H0435	ADOPTION – Amends existing law to clarify the consent necessary for the adoption of an adult.	02/07 Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules, and Administration
H0436	HEALTH – Amends existing law to provide for the administration and maintenance of the Health Care Directive Registry by the Department of Health and Welfare.	02/07 Reported Printed and Referred to Health and Welfare
H0438	HEALTH – Amends and repeals existing law regarding the prevention of blindness and disease in infants.	02/07 Reported Printed and Referred to Health and Welfare
S1295	DENTISTS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding teledentistry and restrictions for such practice	02/07 Reported Printed and Referred to Health and Welfare
SCR126	HEALTH – Stating findings of the Legislature and supporting a collaboration among the three branches of the state government, local governments, and community partners in developing and implementing a statewide strategic plan to improve the Idaho behavioral health system.	02/07 Reported Printed; Referred to 10th Order; held one legislative day

Upcoming Events & Advocacy Days

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

Thursday, February 13, 2020: Idaho Rural Health Association Legislative Luncheon. 11:30AM-1:30PM. Details and 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.