This week’s legislative update delivers an overview of public health issues that were discussed during the week.
Immunizations
Senate Bill No. 1294 passed the Senate on Tuesday after some debate. The bill, proposed by the Idaho State Pharmacy Association, seeks to allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer immunizations to children 6 years or older, the current limit is 12 years or older. Lawmakers had safety concerns about the legislation but the bill ultimately passed on a 29-5 vote.
SB 1294 full bill text can be found here
JFAC Increases Idaho’s Health Education Programs Budget
On Thursday morning JFAC voted 19-1 to increase Idaho’s Health Education Programs budget. Overall, the budget reflects a 5.6% increase in state general funds, and matches the governor’s recommendation. The increase includes five new seats for first-year Idaho students in the WWAMI Medical Education Program, two in the University of Utah medical school program, and six additional first-year residents at the Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency program. The five new seats bring the WWAMI program to a total of 40 students per year, the addition of two students to the University of Utah medical school program brings it up to 10 Idaho students a year, and the six additional first-year residents at the Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency program brings that program up to 18 students. In a state that doesn’t have a medical school, these programs are of utmost importance.
HB 516 passed the House State Affairs Committee
House Bill No. 516 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday. The bill would require women seeking abortions to be provided with a state-compiled list of providers who could provide them with free ultrasounds, to be told they have a right to a free ultrasound, and to hear a fetal heart monitor. Many people spoke out in support or against the bill and the hearing lasted for two and a half hours. Supporters of the bill say it would make women more likely to decide against abortion. Representative Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) said, “I have no problem if a group wants to organize and provide free health care services. That’s within everybody’s rights.” But she continued that the “state should not be requiring that advertising” to be provided when a patient goes to their licensed health care provider. The legislation makes no exception for victims of rape or incest. Representative Pete Nielsen (R-Mountain Home) said, “Now, I’m of the understanding that in many cases of rape it does not involve any pregnancy because of the trauma of the incident. That may be true with incest a little bit.” Although during the hearing he was contradicted by Angela Dwyer of Stanton Healthcare, a crisis pregnancy center, he stood by his comments. After the hearing, Nielsen said pregnancy doesn’t happen with rape as often as it does with consensual sex, because of the trauma involved. He explained that’s the information he’s been given through the years but he doesn’t know if it’s totally accurate. Betsy Russell’s account of the Committee meeting can be found here.
HB 516 full bill text can be found here.
“Abortion ultrasound bill headed to Idaho House” – Idaho Statesman
Assisted Living Legislation passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Senate Bill No. 1341 was reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 14th Order for amendment. The purpose of the bill is to assure that all Residential or Assisted Living Facilities are only cited for violations that are specified in an applicable law or rule. The bill will help with challenges associated with interpretation of regulations. This legislation is recent progress of the Idaho Alzheimer’s Planning Group’s objective to create a more conducive regulatory environment for Assisted Living Facilities so that Idahoans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can access these facilities.
SB 1341 full bill text can be found here.
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Thursday was an exciting day for medical education. Governor Butch Otter announced that the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine has made a commitment to locate on the Idaho State University Meridian Health Care Center campus. Governor Otter continued, “Preference will be given to Idaho students.” Idaho currently ranks 49th in the country for its number of doctors per-capita. Efforts to increase these numbers, such as the programs previously mentioned in addition to the new medical school, are much needed.
Private osteopathic med school proposed for ISU’s Meridian campus – The Spokesman Review
Otter: Public-private partnership for new med school ‘an exciting day for state’ – The Spokesman Review
More on proposed new medical school; dean says it’s a ‘done deal’ – The Spokesman Review
Governor announces plans for Idaho medical school – KTVB
Idaho’s first-ever medical school approved by state board – The Washington Times
Department of Health and Welfare Budget
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered the Health and Welfare budget on Friday morning. The budget for Medicaid reflects a 3.4% increase in stage general funds; and a 6.2% increase in total funds. The budget includes an increase of $1.5 million, $442,000 of that in state general funds, in the “personal needs allowance” for disabled and elderly people on Medicaid. The budget, at $519.6 million in state general funds and $2.23 billion total, will need approval from both houses and the governor’s signature to become law. In addition, JFAC supported a budget for public health services that includes $971,100 in state funds and 4 new positions to carry out the state’s suicide prevention plan. The money and new positions will be used to carry out a coordinated approach to suicide prevention that includes funding for the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, funding for youth programming, a public awareness campaign, training, and much more. The budget reflects a 14.5% increase in state funds, but just a 2.4% increase in total funds.
Medicaid expansion in the news
“Group says proposed bill would eliminate Idaho's health care gap” – Moscow-Pullman Daily News
What’s Next in Idaho’s Health Care Debate? – Idaho Public Radio
Krell letter: GOP opinion wrong – Idaho Statesman
“Idaho health care debate may have turned a corner” – Idaho Statesman
Idaho lawmakers stall on Medicaid alternative, but talk expansion – KBOI
Idaho's lone alternative to Medicaid expansion isn't dead, but it may be on life support – The Republic
Working poor: 1 in 3 Idaho households struggles to pay for the basics – Idaho Statesman
Bills/Rules of Note
If there are specific Bills or Rules that you would like Molly to track, please let her know. For full bill text and more information regarding bills this session, please go to the Idaho Legislature Bill Center
| Bill No |
Description |
Last Action |
| H0518 |
Mental illness, admit, detention |
02/22/2016 House - Referred to Judiciary, Rules, & Administration |
| S1231 |
Chiropractic practic/prescrib drugs |
02/23/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare |
| S1264 |
Pharmacy, durable medical equipment |
02/23/2016 Senate - Failed: Ayes 17 Nays 17 Excused 1; to Secretary of Senate |
| S1250 |
Adv practic registerd nurse compact |
02/24/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare |
| S1251 |
Nursing licensure compact |
02/24/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare |
| S1294 |
Pharmacists, immunizations |
02/24/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare |
| S1265 |
Insuranc premium tax/high risk pool |
02/25/2016 House - Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare |
| HCR034 |
Community water fluoridation |
02/25/2016 Senate - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; to 10th order; held one legislative day |
| H0331 |
Alcoholic bevs, powdered alcohol |
02/26/2016 House - Passed: Ayes 42 Nays 24 Abs/Excd 4, title approved, to Senate |
| H0500 |
Medicare reimbursement rate |
02/26/2016 House - Read second time; Filed for Third Reading |
| H0516 |
Abortion, ultrasounds |
02/26/2016 House - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading |
| H0413 |
License plates, Orofino hs maniacs |
02/26/2016 House - Retained on General Orders |
| H0482 |
Boards/qualifications/consumr membr |
02/26/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 29, 2016 |
| H0483 |
Pharmacy, communicatn, bio products |
02/26/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 29, 2016 |
| S1201 |
Approp, catastrophic health, reduce |
02/26/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 29, 2016 |
| S1270 |
Approp, H&W benefit payments, add'l |
02/26/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 29, 2016 |
| S1271 |
Approp, H&W medicaid, chg |
02/26/2016 House - U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 29, 2016 |
| S1295 |
Public assistnc/provider penalties |
02/26/2016 Senate - Passed: Ayes 33 Nays 2 Excused 0; title approved; to House |
| S1253 |
Child protection, caregivers |
02/26/2016 Senate - Passed: Ayes 34 Nays 0 Excused 1; title approved; to House |
| H0341 |
Patient freedom of info act |
02/26/2016 Senate - Read second time; filed for Third Reading |
| S1293 |
Ed, parental rights in education |
02/26/2016 Senate - Read second time; filed for Third Reading |
| S1322 |
Epinephrine auto-injectors |
02/26/2016 Senate - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading |
